Mexico – Develop a strategy to improve the air quality in the city of Monterrey

RATIONALE

The project responds to a request made by INECC (National Institute of Ecology and Climate Change) to integrate and validate a strategy to improve air quality in Monterrey metropolitan area. The approach to developing the strategy includes mapping of key actors, data mapping, integration of information, conducting feasibility and sustainability studies, designing and integrating mitigation strategies, monitoring, reporting and validating schemes, and mapping of possible sources of financing.

Monterrey is Mexico`s industrial powerhouse, it is considered the "industrial capital" of Mexico. It contributes significantly to the national GDP through sectors such as the steel, automotive, food, technology and services industries. The metropolitan area of Monterrey includes 10 neighbouring municipalities: Guadalupe, San Nicolás de los Garza, Apodaca, San Pedro Garza García, Santa Catarina, García, El Carmen (in Coahuila), among others, forming one of the largest and most dynamic metropolitan areas in the country. From the point of view of air quality exposed population, the state of Nuevo León and the city of Monterrey is one of the most important urban centers in the country, with 5.4 million inhabitants which corresponds to the second most populated metropolitan area in the country. Air pollution presents a critical environmental and public health challenge. It is also home to large Mexican corporations such as Cemex, Femsa, Ternium, Alfa, Bimbo, and Grupo Modelo, many of which have an international presence.

Based on information from the ProAire of the state of Nuevo León, in the metropolitan area of Monterrey, air quality regulations for PM10 and PM2.5 suspended particles and for ozone (O3) are not complied with. The concentrations of these suspended particles and ozone are a serious environmental problem with health implications that impact its 5.4 million inhabitants, presenting chronic exposure, as well as sporadic episodes of high concentrations (acute exposure). The health effects range from respiratory discomfort, such as irritation of the eyes and respiratory tract, headaches, to chronic diseases, such as lung cancer and mortality from cardiovascular disease.

The project aims to integrate and validate an air quality improvement strategy for Monterrey and an environmental contingency plan for health protection by leveraging recent data, including:

• 2023 Emissions Inventory
• Atmospheric dynamics modelling  
• Air Quality Monitoring analysis
• Vehicle Fleet evaluation 

Activities

Outcome 1: The Government of Mexico endorses a Strategic Plan for the Monterrey area to improve the air quality by the end of the project or soon after.

Indicator: Number of action plans, roadmaps, strategies, or other future plans with SLCP targets or mitigation measures formally adopted, endorsed and/or implemented

• Output 1.1: Key actors mapping, identification of roles, responsibilities and description of the institutional arrangements (national and sub-national level).
• Output 1.2: Update of the 2023 integrated emission inventory (criteria pollutants + GHG + SLCP).
• Output 1.3: Assessment of the atmospheric dynamics in the Monterrey area (i.e. weather systems, climate patterns, and environmental conditions).
• Output 1.4: Integrate and analyses available and representative field measurements in the Monterrey area, and the vehicle fleet that operates in the region. (Direct comparison with fixed monitoring network, and filling spatial and temporal gaps, studying specific pollution sources, or responding to short-term events).
• Output 1.5: Assessment of the Air Quality Monitoring Network in the Monterrey area. The assessment should include an analysis of network accuracy, representation, and timeliness of data for regulatory compliance, public health protection, urban planning, and scientific research).
• Output 1.6: Develop scenarios using modeling tools to assess the impact of mitigation measures on air pollution levels in the Monterrey area (criteria pollutants and SLCPs)
• Output 1.7: Identify and promote emissions mitigation actions in the Monterrey area based on the outputs of the modeling in output 1.6.
• Output 1.8: Integrate the modeling results and the mitigation actions into a strategic plan to act and face air pollution episodes to protect population health. (Considering; economic evaluations; emergency measures; public communication / Recommendations to protect health; among others.)

Outcome 2: The Government of Mexico adopts Monitoring, Reporting and Verification schemes to support the implementation of the Strategic Plan for Monterrey by the end of the project.

Indicator: Number of monitoring, reporting, and verification (MRV) systems developed or updated that include SLCPs

• Output 2.1: Monitoring, Reporting and Verification schemes appropriate for Mexican context and established institutional and legal frameworks 

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