Mexico

In recent years in Mexico, a series of lawsuits have been initiated against the government's actions in the face of climate change, since policies that seek to improve climatic conditions have not been implemented. The climate litigation is based on the violation of human rights. It is important to note that the Supreme Court has ruled in favor of the plaintiffs using the precautionary principle.

Cases

 * Youth v. Government of Mexico On September 2, 2020, fifteen young people from the State of Baja, California filed a federal lawsuit against the Mexican Government asks that the Mexican government issue regulations and public policies derived from the General Law on Climate Change and the Mexican Constitution.


 * Greenpeace Mexico v. Ministry of Energy and Others (on the National Electric System policies) On May 25, 2020, Greenpeace Mexico filed a lawsuit against the Mexican government contesting the constitutionality of two electricity sector policies that would limit renewables. Greenpeace Mexico asked the Administrative Court to declare the policies unconstitutional for violating the rights to a healthy environment and sustainable development and for obstructing Mexico's compliance with its international commitments to tackle climate change.


 * Greenpeace Mexico v. Ministry of Energy and Others (on the Energy Sector Program) On August 20, 2020, Greenpeace Mexico filed a complaint in the District Court in Mexico City against Mexico's new Energy Sector Program for 2020-2024. The Program was finalized on July 8, 2020. The complaint alleges that the Program violates human rights -- including the right to a healthy environment and right of access to electricity based on renewable sources -- by promoting fossil fuel use at the expense of investments in renewable energy, greenhouse gas emissions reduction, and adaptation.

Resources

 * Mexico Cases (Sabin Center Database)
 * Mexico Climate Laws (SEMARNAT)
 * Climate Change Litigation Initiative (C2LI) interview with Rodolfo Godínez Rosales, 5 November 2020
 * Climate Change and the Individual in Mexico. (Book chapter, Godinez 2021)

Organizations

 * AIDA
 * Centro de Derechos Humanos de los Pueblos del Sur de Veracruz "Bety Cariño"
 * Centro Mexicano de Derecho Ambiental (CEMDA)
 * Defensa Ambiental del Noroeste
 * Fundación Heinrich Böll
 * Greenpeace México
 * Iniciativa Climática De México
 * Otros Mundos