Background and Relevance of the Meeting
The recent meeting between the European Union (EU) and Mexico’s Secretariat of Energy (SENER) focused on designing strategies for the development of renewable energy sources and improving energy efficiency, moving towards a sustainable model.
Key Objectives
- Tripling the installed capacity of clean energy sources in both Mexico and the EU
- Ensuring availability of necessary products for energy disposal
- Aiming for a 35% penetration of non-fossil fuel technologies in the energy generation mix
Current Status and Challenges
Mexico is currently 11 percentage points below its commitment under the Paris Agreement for clean energy generation. Meanwhile, the current US administration is moving away from transition energy policies more conspicuously.
EU’s Stance on Global Energy Transition
Despite the US administration’s rejection of a clean energy path and carbon reduction, the EU believes that global economies advancing towards this route will make it impossible to halt progress, though the pace has not been as swift as desired.
“We have made progress, though not at the required pace. This agenda was set a decade ago. Green forces are part of market forces with sufficient momentum to not change,” said Teresa Ribera, EU’s Executive Vice President, during her visit to Mexico.
EU-Mexico Energy Agreement Progress
The EU-Mexico Global Agreement has a final draft since January, including an energy chapter. It could be signed and ratified by both parliaments this year, pending bureaucratic processes like translation into the 24 official EU languages and routine reviews.
“In recent months, we have reached an agreement to modernize a global agreement that has brought significant benefits to our societies and economies over the past 25 years,” stated Ribera, confident that the agreement will promote sustainability in the energy and agri-food sectors.
Collaboration in Energy Sector
The EU acknowledges and collaborates closely with Mexico on energy matters. Recent reforms to Mexico’s energy sector are being addressed, fostering a strong partnership between the two entities.
Meeting Outcomes
On January 17, the EU announced the closure of negotiations to incorporate changes and additions to the draft agreement.
Key Questions and Answers
- What was the main focus of the EU-Mexico meeting? The meeting centered on designing strategies for renewable energy development and improving energy efficiency, aiming for a sustainable model.
- Why is the EU-Mexico collaboration on clean energy significant? This partnership is crucial as Mexico currently lags behind its Paris Agreement commitments, and the US administration is moving away from transition energy policies. The EU’s stance emphasizes that global progress towards clean energy is inevitable.
- What is the status of the EU-Mexico Global Agreement? The agreement has a final draft, including an energy chapter. It is awaiting translation into the 24 official EU languages and routine reviews before potential signing and ratification by both parliaments.
- How does the EU view the recent energy reforms in Mexico? The EU acknowledges and collaborates closely with Mexico on energy matters, recognizing the recent reforms in the sector.
