In presenting the main findings of the report Net Zero Pathway 260 at an event of the NDC Partnership parallel to the COP29the Mexico Climate Initiative (MSI) proposed a viable route for our country to achieve the goal of net zero emissions by 2060.

Adrian FernandezBMI Executive Director, said that if the country implements the right public policies and attracts the necessary investments, it can meet this goal, aligning itself with nations such as China and Indonesia, which have also set 2060 as their target for the year 2060. carbon neutrality.

"We did this work, which is an estimate of the net zero trajectory, on a very detailed analysis, we came to the conclusion that Mexico could reach net zero by 2060 with the right policies and investments," he commented.

The MSI report details various sectoral decarbonization pathways, with a particular focus on the electricity sector, which is key to meeting this goal. Among the most important milestones are:

Increase in clean electricity generation

Mexico must increase its generation capacity with non-fossil fuel sources from 30 GW in 2021 to 240 GW by 2060. This would imply a reduction of approximately 283 MtCO2e.

Wind and solar energy

By 2060, 82 GW of wind power capacity (including both onshore and offshore facilities) and 63 GW of cumulative solar power are planned.

Distributed solar energy

The installation of up to 43 GW of distributed solar capacity, through programs such as Hogar Solar and Ejido Solar designed by ICM, will be critical.

Closure of natural gas plants

It is imperative that, as of 2027, no new natural gas-fired power plants are installed. In addition, the three plants currently operating with coal should be closed by 2030 and replaced by renewable energy plants.

Energy storage

To facilitate the transition to renewable energies, a capacity of at least 28 GW of energy storage with lithium batteries must be achieved, in addition to strengthening and expanding transmission and distribution networks.

Hydrogen

After 2040, the replacement of gas plants by hydrogen plants will be essential, with a capacity of at least 17 GW.

Adrian Fernandez stressed that many of these measures are already contemplated in the plans of the new administration of the government of Mexico. MexicoThis represents a positive sign for the future of the country in terms of energy transition.

However, he also highlighted the need to assess whether the scale and speed of implementation of these policies will be sufficient to meet Mexico's climate commitments, both within the Paris Agreement to achieve the goal of zero net emissions in 2060.

"We have to be clear and real about the scale we need. There is no more time for incrementalism. We have to be clear about the scale we need and the urgency to act so there is no more time to waste," he said.

The Executive Director of the IMC stressed that it is necessary to work on a large scale, to move very fast and to identify the sequence of what comes first and what comes last, so as not to get off track.

Source: Climate Initiative