Water, Energy and Food Security in Mexico City

Abstract

Population growth, climate change and accelerated economic activity will increase the demand for food, water and energy. As these three issues are interlinked and interdependent, securing them is central to alleviating poverty and creating climate-resilient and robust green economies. As engines of economic growth and social development, cities are at the forefront in creating innovative solutions to such challenges. In turn, this paper will first examine how Mexico City is securing its water resources by focusing on the Programme of Sustainable Water Management in Mexico City for 2007–2012. Moreover, the Mexican government is realizing that issues of water security are closely linked to food and energy security as reflected in the various government plans, particularly in the Climate Action Programme in Mexico City 2008–2012 (PACCM). The PACCM proposes both mitigation and adaptation strategies in areas of water management, energy, transport and waste management. Finally, this chapter concludes that as urbanization and planning in cities becomes more complex, Mexico City will have to act under the coordination of planning agencies and will have to work on the creation of appropriate legislation with the strength of civil society.