Yucatán’s Climate Plan: A Participatory Roadmap

Mérida, Yucatán — More than 150 representatives from diverse sectors have joined the update of Yucatán's Special Program on Climate Change (Peecc), aiming to chart a more robust and participatory roadmap in the face of the climate crisis.

This collaborative effort is led by the Secretariat of Sustainable Development (SDS) of Yucatán, in coordination with the Mario Molina Center. It has conducted a series of virtual workshops with government institutions, academic bodies, social organizations, businesses, and citizens.

During the working sessions, participants focused on the two main pillars of climate action. In the area of mitigation, strategies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions were discussed, addressing key areas such as energy, transportation, agriculture, livestock, and waste management.

Within the adaptation pillar, the dialogue centered on how the state can prepare for the inevitable effects of climate change. The analysis will focus on potential impacts on the population, health, infrastructure, biocultural heritage, ecosystems, and vital economic sectors such as tourism, fishing, agriculture, and water management.

The Director of Planning and Climate Change of the SDS, Adrián Cataño Pérez, emphasized the importance of citizen participation in this process. "The measures of the Peecc must reflect the voice and knowledge of all sectors to drive collaborative strategies," he stated.

Cataño Pérez highlighted that the climate crisis, while a significant challenge, also represents an "opportunity to innovate, collaborate, and transform our practices towards a more resilient, just, and sustainable model."

The workshops focused on the strategic sectors of infrastructure, industry, and water resources seek to establish a plan with a local, territorial, and community focus.

Specialists from the Mario Molina Center presented alarming data, showing that Yucatán emitted 10,425.52 gigatons (Gg) of carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2e) in 2023. The energy sector was the primary contributor, responsible for 71.15 percent of those emissions, followed by agriculture and forestry.

With the update of the 159 measures from the previous program, Yucatán is advancing its "Green Renaissance" strategy, a development model that prioritizes the care of water, soil, and ecosystems.

The workshops represent a fundamental step towards creating a program with clear goals and verification mechanisms, marking the beginning of a new stage where working groups will continue to meet in person to consolidate this collective effort.