Green Challenge

Green Challenge - ©

Status

ongoing

City

Mexico City

Main actors

Local Government, City Government, Private Sector, NGO / Philanthropy, Community / Citizen Group, Research Institutes / Universities

Project area

Whole City/Administrative Region

Duration

Ongoing since 2019

A program that contributes to the mitigation and adaptation of climate change, risk management and the conservation of biodiversity and ecosystem services.

The Green Challenge is an initiative involving the mass planting of trees and other plants in urban and peri-urban areas. The objective is to improve the multiple ecosystem services of natural areas through reforestation actions. By making new green areas in the city, it encourages the social use of public space and other environmental benefits. These nature-based solutions are also contained in the local government´s strategies to address climate change and for the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity.

The Green challenge set the goal of planting more than 15 million trees and others plants by the end of 2020; targeting streets, avenues, ridges, urban parks, protected natural areas (ANP in spanish) and the peri-urban region known as conservation land in the urban planning instruments.

For further information about the case study, click here.

Sustainable Development Goals

AIPH World Green City Awards

This project was awarded the 'AIPH World Green City Awards' in 2022 in the following category: Living Green for Climate Change.

Learn more

City information

City

Mexico City, Mexico

Size and population development

The population of Mexico City was recorded at approximately 8.9 million in 2015. The Greater City of Mexico recorded a population of approximately 21.6 million in 2018 and is expected to reach in excess of 23 million by 2030 according to the UN populations forecast. The City has great inequalities, with areas of affluence and conspicuous consumption existing nearby areas plagued with water born gastrointestinal infections, while air pollution affects all inhabitants of the valley City, with respiratory illnesses being a major issue.

Population composition

Of the millions who call Mexico City home, a significant amount of them belong to Mexico’s many indigenous peoples, including Nahuatl, Otomi, Mixtec, Zapotec and Mazahau. Additionally, the city is home to many expatriates and immigrants, largely from the Americans, North, Central and South, as well as the Caribbean. The average age is of 33 years.

Main functions

Mexico City is the oldest capital city in the American continent and one of the most economically active centres. The city extends across 607.22 square kilometres and is located in the Valley of Mexico at an altitude of 2,240 meters above sea level. It houses many of the country’s most prestigious cultural and educational centres, including universities such as UNAM and IPN, as well as theatres, libraries, operas, stadiums and auditoriums. The city also boasts many archaeological sites and museums that expose the pre-Hispanic heritage of the city, over which the Spanish conquerors imposed their new capital. Other sites of touristic and religious importance, like the main Cathedral at the Zócalo plaza (where the National and local governments are located), are examples of the Baroque and Neoclassical architecture styles that marked the city.

Main industries / business

Mexico City is undoubtedly the economic centre of the country, contributing 17 percent of the national GDP. Tertiary sector industries (services) comprehend almost 90 percent of the annual GDP, with the city excelling in the commercial and financial sectors (Mexico City houses the headquarters of most of the banks in the country, as well as the Mexican Stock Exchange). Other main industries include media companies, transport (privatized airlines and bus companies), and government activities.

Sources for city budget

Drawn from a progressive income tax, Mexico City’s budget is decided by the local Legislative Assembly, and the ceiling of public debt agreed upon by the Chamber of the Union, the legislative power of the Federal Government.

Political structure

Until the year of 2016, Mexico City was a Federal District, and one of the thirty-two entities into which the country is divided. In its search for autonomy from the ruling of Federal government over local situations, the city promoted changes in the national constitution that have altered its status and name since the year 2016. Now, Mexico City has become an autonomous entity with its own political constitution. The main differences from its previous status has to do with modifications in governance: the city now has 16 mayoralties belonging to each of the sixteen boroughs; and the Legislative Assembly was transformed into a Local Council with the same inherence in Federal decisions as every other state in the country. The City’s head is elected by popular vote and is charged with choosing the chief of police and the Attorney General, a task previously carried out by the President of the Republic.

Administrative structure

Mexico City is divided into 16 delegaciones, or boroughs, for administrative purposes. The boroughs are not equivalent to municipalities, yet they possess administrative structures comparable to these. In each borough, the mayors are tasked with ensuring that the necessary utilities and services are provided. The poorer boroughs are in constant struggle due to the lack of potable water, dignified housing, and medical services. The boroughs must answer to the head of government who represents its executive branch, and local councils must approval their budgets.

Website

https://www.cdmx.gob.mx/

Background and objectives

One of the main drivers for the loss and degradation of natural ecosystems in Mexico City is the land-use changes related to the urbanization process, especially the need for space for housing areas, economic activities such as food production, industry and urban infrastructure. Additionally, there has been significant barriers to access green areas for social recreation.

The increase in the area covered by asphalt, the elimination of vegetation cover, and the construction of infrastructure without sustainability criteria, has exacerbated phenomena such as the “urban heat island” effect. The Green Challenge seeks to reverse these effects through actions of revegetation of streets, avenues, ridges, urban parks, protected areas and on the conservation land to strengthen the green infrastructure, the conservation of biodiversity and the regeneration of the social fabric.

Implementation

The Green Challenge is implemented by the Green Infrastructure Directorate of the Ministry of the Environment, in collaboration with other areas of the Government of Mexico City.

The main actions are:

Revegetation of protected areas and conservation land

The purpose of rehabilitating protected natural areas and revegetating the city's conservation land is to recover native vegetation affected by fires and other disturbances, in addition to reversing deforestation by increasing plant coverage and thus preserving the environmental benefits for the citizens of Mexico City.

Revegetation of urban green areas

In collaboration with the Secretaría de Obras y Servicios (Ministry of Works and Services, SOBSE), the program focuses on the revegetation and rehabilitation of public spaces such as parks, avenues, ridges and other areas of the city, with the aim of expanding and improving urban green areas and generating spaces for the community.

Gardens for pollinators

The conservation of pollinators, such as bees and other insects, through gardens of flowering plants is another of the axes of the Green Challenge. This addresses one of the global challenges for food security, as well as representing great ecological and aesthetic value to the city. This work is carried out with the collaboration of groups of women trained in the design and creation of gardens as a result of the Gardens for Life program.

Tequios

Tequios are actions undertaken with the active participation of citizens and other social sectors, contributing to revegetation and sanitation of green areas in the city.

Conversion of nurseries

Production has increased in the three nurseries in the city to give priority to the planting of native species. The native species of the Valley of Mexico are the priority for production.

Pest control

In addition to planting and sanitation, pest control actions are carried out in the urban trees.

Financing and resources

Green Challenge is an initiative that brings together the efforts and resources of various areas of the city government. Collaboration with municipal governments, civil society organizations and private companies has been essential.

Results and impacts

By July 2020, the original goal for the project was reached, and by mid-November more than 13,372,979 trees, shrubs and herbs had been planted. The reforestation continues and it is estimated that by the end of the year it will reach 15 million:

Four protected natural areas have been renovated and now have better environmental conditions. New areas were opened for the enjoyment and care of citizens. The planting of 11,534 plants and forest sanitation was carried out in two urban forest areas of the city (San Juan de Aragón and Chapultepec).
More than 163 thousand pieces of flowering plants for pollinators have been planted in 57 gardens of the 16 municipalities of the city.
Phytosanitary treatment for 5,643 trees has been carried out, using the plant endotherapy method for bark beetles, as well as for other pests and diseases. In addition, 18 censuses and phytosanitary diagnosis of green areas have also been carried out.
Four manuals have been published to assist technical personnel: Comprehensive management of Pests and Diseases, Maintenance of Urban Green Areas, Construction of Gardens for Pollinators and Planting in Urban Green Areas.

Barriers and challenges

The implementation of the program has required the conversion of nurseries for the production of native plant species, capacity building for soil restoration and collaboration with citizens, academics, organizations and companies.

The strengthening of nurseries for the production of native plants has required constant training for the collection, storage, and germination of seeds, as well as the reproduction and propagation of native plants.

Lessons learned and transferability

The Green Challenge has involved collaborative work between different areas of the Government of Mexico City. However, through the actions of the Green Challenge, it has been possible to promote other programs and actions associated with the conservation of biodiversity and the strengthening of the city's green infrastructure.

References

Green Challenge program

https://www.sedema.cdmx.gob.mx/programas/programa/reforestacion