Workshop for Sub-national authorities on Climate Change
August 2010
Tlalnepantla, Mexico
The first workshop in Latin America and the Caribbean was held in Tlalnepantla, Mexico from August 18 to 20, 2010. The event was supported by the Government of the State of Mexico through representatives in the Metropolitan Environmental Commission and was attended by 34 persons from 21 Municipalities within the Metropolitan Area: Atizapan de Zaragoza, Chalco, Chicoloapan, Cuauhtitlán, Cuauhtitlán Izcalli, Ecatepec de Morelos, Huixquilucan, La Paz, Naucalpan, Nicolás Romero, Tlalnepantla, Tultitlán, Valle de Chalco, Texcoco, Melchor, Ocampo, Isidro Fabela, Jaltenco, Aguascalientes, Apaxco, Metepec, Nezahualcóyotl, Chimalhuacán, Toluca, and Coacalco.
The training was conducted by a wide range of practitioners as well as experts from the Center for Atmospheric Sciences at the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM), the Metropolitan Environmental Commission of Mexico, the Secretary of Foreign Relations of Mexico, the National Institute of Ecology, the Secretary of Environment of Mexico, the Proclima Program of the Environmental Authority of Sao Paulo, Brazil (CETESB), GTZ Mexico, Inter-American Development Bank (IADB), Mexican Development Bank BANOBRAS, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), and UNEP.
The fact that the training module was prepared in both English and Spanish in addition to having been customized subsequent to a needs and priorities assessment of Mexico’s sub-national authorities played a huge role in its success.
The workshop also served as a platform for enthusiastic discussions on the wide range of issues presented. One of these was the launch of the “Climate Change Initiative” of the State of Mexico presented by Lic. Alejandra López, Deputy Director for Climate Change within the Secretary of Foreign Relations of Mexico. She explained the general international framework of Mexico’s climate change negotiations, positions and strategies with an emphasis on opportunities and challenges for the country and the sub-national authorities. Discussions of the workshop were particularly lively around mitigation issues at the local level but also covered Mexico’s official position and the strategies being implemented to achieve results at Cancun.
Some challenges and constraints were identified by the participants in their efforts to integrate climate change issues at sub-national level. These were mainly related to the lack of specificity in the funds that could be tapped by Municipal Authorities, especially for managing waste disposal; and the need for further training on project implementation and methodology. A representative of the Mexican Development Bank provided information on national sources of financing, bi-lateral opportunities and other possible funds which was greatly appreciated.
The workshop closed with positive reports of a greatly improved knowledge base and understanding of climate issues. Participants also felt that, most importantly, it had opened an avenue for information and experience sharing between peers as well as to improve the rare contact they have with the state government. They emphasized the importance of UNEP continuing to work with local authorities; helping with access to financial mechanisms; and the need to improve coordination at several levels of government.