Civil Organizations demanded this Thursday to the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources (Semarnat) that the next update of the NOM-163-SEMARNAT-SCFI-2023, which regulates CO2 emissions and the energy efficiency of light vehicles, is designed with “the maximum climate ambition” and without concessions to the automotive industry.
The Mexican Center for Environmental Law (CEMDA), the Institute of Policies for Transportation and Development (ITDP) and the Power of the Consumer (EPC) warned in a statement that, in the past, the norm was weakened by flexibility mechanisms that annulled its effectiveness, which prevented Mexico from moving forward in the reduction of emissions of the transport sector.
They pointed out that President Claudia Sheinbaum included in her 100 -point plan the modernization of environmental regulation as part of the transition to a low carbon economy. Within that framework, NOM-163 is considered strategic for the country to comply with its international commitments.
The organizations proposed to establish goals aligned with the Glasgow pact and with the electrification planned for 2030 and 2035. They also asked to eliminate “empty” credits and flexibilities that allow corporations to fulfill on paper without reducing real emissions, as well as guaranteeing transparency through open data and traceability of vehicles.
“NOM-163 must become a true climatic and environmental tool. We must remember that human rights such as the healthy environment and health should not be conditioned to purely economic criteria,” said Anaid Velasco, of CEMDA.
The ITDP and EPC stressed that a stricter norm is not only a climate instrument, but also a measure of social justice, since lower income households are the most affected by fuel spending and poor air quality.
Find out: Mexico needs global support to reduce emissions: experts
“Mexico has all commercial and technological conditions to adopt ambitious efficiency standards. Our plants export to countries with stricter norms, which is shameful,” said Bernardo Baranda, of the ITDP.
According to organizations, Mexico is still behind the United States and Canada. By 2027, a new car in Mexico will consume 3% more gasoline on average than in the US, while the flexibilities allowed by the Mexican norm double those of that country.
The fulfillment of the new national contribution at the national level (NDC) of Mexico will depend to a large extent that NOM-163 is strengthened, they said.
“Today, the vast majority of the cars sold in Mexico consume more gasoline than they should, which damages the pocket of families and the climate. The new NOM-163 is the last call to put consumers and the environment to the center of politics, not the corporate,” concluded Stephan Brodziak, of the power of the consumer.
With EFE information.
Follow business information and today in Forbes Mexico
