Regulatory framework
Boost agricultural production and land area in DRs, URs, and DTTs through the development of hydro-agricultural infrastructure.
Its purpose is to regulate the exploitation, use, or utilization of such waters, their distribution and control, as well as the preservation of their quantity and quality to achieve their comprehensive sustainable development.
The rights established by this Law shall be paid for the use or enjoyment of public property of the Nation, as well as for receiving services provided by the State in its public law functions, except when provided by decentralized agencies or decentralized bodies and, in the latter case, when the consideration is not provided for in this Law. Contributions payable to decentralized public agencies for the provision of services exclusive to the State are also considered rights.
Its purpose is to promote sustainable development and establish the basis for: Guaranteeing the right of every person to live in a healthy environment for their development, health, and well-being; Defining the principles of environmental policy and the instruments for its implementation; The preservation, restoration, and improvement of the environment; The preservation and protection of biodiversity, as well as the establishment and administration of protected natural areas; The sustainable use, preservation and, where appropriate, restoration of soil, water, and other natural resources, in a manner that is compatible with the economic benefits and activities of society and the preservation of ecosystems; The prevention and control of air, water, and soil pollution; Guaranteeing the co-responsible participation of individuals, individually or collectively, in the preservation and restoration of ecological balance and the protection of the environment; The exercise of the powers in environmental matters that correspond to the Federation, the States, the Federal District, and the Municipalities, under the principle of concurrence provided for in Article 73, section XXIX-G of the Constitution; The establishment of mechanisms for coordination, induction, and consultation between authorities, between authorities and the social and private sectors, as well as with individuals and social groups, on environmental matters, and the establishment of control and safety measures to ensure compliance with and enforcement of this Law and the provisions derived therefrom, as well as for the imposition of the corresponding administrative and criminal penalties.
Its objective is to support the strengthening and expansion of drinking water, sewerage, and sanitation services provided by municipal operators through state entities.
CONAGUA publishes the National Water Program 2020-2024, the guiding document for water policy in Mexico.
Promote the conservation, protection, restoration, and sustainable use of ecosystems and their biodiversity with a territorial approach and a human rights perspective, taking into account biocultural regions, in order to maintain functional ecosystems that are the basis of the population's well-being.
With the aim of mitigating the effects of drought on livestock farming, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, through the National Commission for Arid Zones (Conaza), began the year by establishing forage cactus nurseries in arid areas of five states, as part of its innovation program for the use and production of this cactus.
The main objective of the law is to promote, protect, and guarantee the right to adequate and sustainable food. It also seeks to prioritize the right to health and the environment in food-related policies, promote the production and consumption of nutritious, safe, and culturally appropriate foods, strengthen the country's self-sufficiency and food security, and involve society in actions to guarantee this right. Key actions under the law include establishing planning and coordination mechanisms between different levels of government, promoting sustainable food environments, and regulating the supply, quality, and equitable distribution of food. The law also ensures adequate infrastructure for water collection and storage for food production, with a special focus on supporting small farmers and small- and medium-scale agricultural producers. In addition, it stipulates that federal, state, and municipal government agencies must source at least 15% of their government purchases of food and primary inputs directly from small and medium-scale producers in the agricultural, livestock, forestry, aquaculture, and fishing sectors.
The main objective of the law is to promote comprehensive and sustainable agricultural and rural development in the region. It defines key terms such as peasants, agricultural activities, and municipalities, and establishes significant rights and protections for peasants, including the right to adequate food, food sovereignty and security, and food education. In addition, it provides detailed protection of rights related to land and agricultural production. It defines principles for policy formulation that include the promotion of social welfare and the conservation of natural resources. Furthermore, the law promotes rural conservation and establishes strategies for the management of genetic resources for food and agriculture. It also promotes herbal medicine and sustainable agriculture on a small scale, using urban and peri-urban spaces for such purposes.
The Urban Gardens Act regulates the creation, maintenance, and use of urban gardens in the city with the aim of promoting environmental mitigation, food security, economic autonomy, and environmental education. The law establishes rights and obligations for citizens, ensuring access to urban gardens, training, and technical advice, and establishes the obligation to maintain and protect these spaces, especially in public areas. It promotes sustainable practices such as agroecological practices, waste recycling, and rainwater harvesting, and avoids the use of harmful agrochemicals. In addition, it emphasizes the importance of environmental education and community participation in improving quality of life and strengthening the social fabric, while promoting food sovereignty through the cultivation of local and sustainable foods.
Institutional Framework
It is composed of the Agency for Security, Energy, and the Environment (ASEA), the Environmental Commission of the Megalopolis, the National Commission for the Knowledge and Use of Biodiversity (CONABIO), the National Forestry Commission (CONAFOR), the National Water Commission (CONAGUA), the National Commission for Protected Natural Areas (CONAP), the Mexican Institute of Water Technology (IMTA), the National Institute of Ecology and Climate Change, and the Federal Environmental Protection Agency.
The National Water Commission (CONAGUA) is responsible for managing and preserving the country's water resources with the aim of ensuring the sustainable use of this natural resource and its inherent public assets.
Basin organizations are responsible for managing and preserving national waters in each of the thirteen hydrological-administrative regions into which the country has been divided.
Mexico is already experiencing the negative effects of water shortages. In recent years, the central and northern regions of the country have experienced water shortages due to increased droughts. According to World Bank data, the average annual per capita water availability in the country went from 10,000 cubic meters (m3) in 1960 to 4,000 in 2012. It is estimated that by 2030, this availability in Mexico will drop below 3 thousand m3 per inhabitant per year.To guarantee future demand, the Mexican State needs to update the legal and regulatory frameworks that govern water management, as well as modernize the country's hydraulic infrastructure. It is necessary to take into consideration the different technical characteristics -particularly geophysical- and challenges that the country currently presents in terms of water, such as population growth, urban sprawl, the evolution of droughts, as well as variations in rainfall.
Mexico
Links of interest:
There are four groups of water concession consumers in the country:
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Agricultural sector. In 2020, this sector accounted for 76% of the total water allocated for crop and livestock irrigation.
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Public water supply. It represents 15% of the total water concessions and is distributed through drinking water networks to homes, industries, and other users connected to these networks.
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Self-sufficient industry. It represents 5% of the total concessions and includes companies that draw water directly from the country's rivers, streams, lakes, and aquifers.
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Thermal power plants. They represent 4% of the water allocated.