Guadalajara, Mexico – Mexico’s first Low Emission Zones (LEZ) and the decarbonisation of Guadalajara’s public buildings were celebrated at Guadalajara Municipal Palace on Tuesday, 23 September. The event, organised by C40 Cities, the British Embassy in Mexico, and the Government of Guadalajara, was attended by Susannah Goshko, British Ambassador to Mexico; Verónica Delgadillo, Mayor of Guadalajara; and Cristina Argudo, C40 Cities interim Regional Director for Latin America.
In collaboration with the Institute of Planning and Management of the Guadalajara Metropolitan Area (IMEPLAN), Guadalajara has received technical support from the Urban Climate Action Programme (UCAP) Climate Action Implementation (CAI) Programme to advance in two strategic areas: the implementation of Low Emission Zones (LEZ) and the decarbonisation of existing public buildings. During the presentation, the progress achieved was highlighted, thanks to this programme, which has strengthened institutional cooperation between Guadalajara and the United Kingdom, through funding from the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO). This support has been key to implementing priority climate actions in the city, reaffirming the shared commitment to a sustainable and resilient urban agenda in the face of the climate crisis.
Among the main achievements of the programme, the definition and implementation of Mexico’s first LEZ, located in the historic centre of Guadalajara, was highlighted, along with the strategy for its consolidation, the search for climate finance, and activities for replication in the nine municipalities of the Guadalajara Metropolitan Area through the Comprehensive Urban Mobility Plan of the AMG (PIMUS), a milestone that positions Guadalajara as a national and regional pioneer in urban mobility aligned with climate action. This programme will also avoid the emission of 40,280 tonnes of CO₂, equivalent to the annual electricity consumption of more than 8,390 households.
Another significant advance has been the development of the Roadmap for Existing Net Zero Carbon Public Buildings by 2050, which includes an Energy Efficient Public Procurement Manual and a training programme for internal energy management auditors under the ISO 50001:2019 standard. This strategy will allow the modernisation of more than 450 public buildings —including police stations, fire stations and museums—, with the aim that 50% of them comply with energy efficiency standards by mid-2030, with a target of 100% by 2050. The initial investment required would be recovered in just four years, generating estimated annual savings of 15 million Mexican pesos. In addition to the environmental and economic benefits, this transition will foster the creation of 188 green jobs annually and promote greater social equity by actively including women and vulnerable groups in the process.
During the event, the upcoming inauguration of a medical unit designed under energy efficiency criteria was also announced, reaffirming the city’s commitment to the decarbonisation of public infrastructure and the transition to clean energy. These actions promote the creation of green jobs and lay the foundations for a just transition within the framework of urban climate action.
The event concluded with a tour of the Low Emission Zone polygon and a symbolic act of its official naming, “Zona AIRE”, highlighting Guadalajara’s leadership in building a resilient, sustainable, and scalable city model.
In what was her first official visit to the city, Susannah Goshko, British Ambassador to Mexico, said: “The AIRE Zone represents a profound change in the way we conceive urban mobility and will reduce polluting emissions in the area by up to 90%; but, it is also a clear example of how climate action can have immediate and lasting benefits for citizens. The programme also represents a firm step towards an energy transition in which Guadalajara is demonstrating that it is possible to act with ambition, with vision and with results in climate innovation, and from the United Kingdom, we feel deeply honoured to be part of this process.”
Verónica Delgadillo, Mayor of Guadalajara said: “We extend an invitation to what more we can build together, C40 Cities, the British Embassy, IMEPLAN and this government that wants this city to be a symbol for many, many other cities in the world, but, above all, a city that longs for the people who live in it to live better.”
Cristina Argudo, C40’s interim Regional Director for Latin America, said: “With its ambitious roadmap towards net zero public buildings by 2050 and the progressive implementation of low emission zones, Guadalajara is positioning itself as a benchmark in Latin America and the world not only in active mobility and urban decarbonisation, but also as a leader in the fight against the climate crisis. These efforts not only reduce emissions but also improve air quality, as well as the health, safety, and quality of life of inhabitants, while generating good green jobs, reflecting a serious commitment to a just energy transition. Guadalajara is an inspiring example of how cities in the Global South can lead with action, ambition, and vision to face the global climate crisis.”
María Macías, Director of Climate Change Sustainability at IMEPLAN said: “At IMEPLAN, we are interested in strengthening these capabilities to be able to scale these programs, which in cities like Guadalajara can be successfully scaled.”
The event reaffirmed the commitment of the UK government and the Guadalajara government to climate action through projects that integrate sustainable mobility, energy efficiency, and long-term urban planning. With initiatives such as the Low Emission Zone and the Roadmap for Net Zero Public Buildings by 2050, Guadalajara is consolidating its position as a pioneer in climate and social innovation in Mexico and the region, building a cleaner, healthier, and more equitable future for its residents.
Following the meeting, a tour was made of the Low Emission Zone polygon, where a symbolic act of its official naming as “Zona Aire” took place, reaffirming Guadalajara’s leadership in building a resilient, sustainable, and scalable city model.