Group of professionals posing for a photo at a meeting
Photo by WRI Mexico

On February 18, WRI México and the Ministry of Environment of México City (SEDEMA) launched the Efficient Buildings Challenge (REE), with support from the National Commission for the Efficient Use of Energy (Conuee) and the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM).

As part of the Building Efficiency Accelerator (BEA), part of the United Nations’ Sustainable Energy for All (SEforALL) initiative, the challenge seeks to achieve 10% savings in the energy consumption of each registered building within one year. The objective is to promote the implementation of energy efficiency measures in existing buildings, both public and private, in Mexico City.

"We, in the city government, are very excited to be part of this initiative. We have the confidence that the technical background, experience and leadership of the three institutions that make up the Technical Advisory Committee will set a precedent for this challenge involving private initiative, which is essential to achieve targets for reducing emissions in buildings," said Leticia Gutiérrez, director general of policy coordination and environmental culture of the Ministry of Environment.

The Technical Advisory Committee is composed of WRI México, Conuee and UNAM, and it will provide technical advice to participants through workshops, meetings and webinars, which will facilitate the implementation of both operational and technological energy efficiency measures. In this way, participants will have the tools to reduce energy consumption in the buildings they register.

"According to our estimates, residential and commercial buildings consume more energy than the industrial sector in Mexico. For a city like this, energy efficiency in buildings is very important. That's why…we will take on the task of calling on the buildings of Mexico City to join this initiative," said Odon de Buen, director of Conuee.

At the end of the year, the energy savings from all participants will be added up to calculate the realized economic and environmental benefits, which will be publicly available on local and international platforms.

"Governments, companies, organizations, and educational and research institutions have the unavoidable responsibility of rethinking urban development in all its aspects – social, economic and environmental – from territorial planning and the rethinking of the processes that go from design to the operation of buildings," added Mireya Ímaz, of UNAM's General Directorate for Community Services.  

In addition to contributing to the achievement of global, national and local greenhouse gas emission reduction targets, Mexico City and its inhabitants will benefit from:

  • Economic growth
  • Generation of new markets and green jobs
  • Greenhouse gas reduction
  • Reduction of investments in electrical infrastructure
  • Improvement of the quality of life of inhabitants and visitors of Mexico City

“As WRI we have been part of the Energy Efficiency Accelerator since 2015 and have had a very close commitment to Mexico City working on three actions: energy conservation codes, the conversion of public buildings and private buildings,” said Adriana Lobo, executive director of WRI México.

For more on the registration process, challenge guidelines and additional information, visit: https://wrimexico.org/happening-now/reto-de-edificios-eficientes-cdmx