Latest news with #AliciaBarcena
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
North American Environment Ministers Reaffirm Commitment to Strengthen Environmental Cooperation
MEXICO CITY, Mexico, July 25, 2025 /CNW/ - The top environmental officials from Canada, Mexico and the United States met in Mexico City this week for the 32nd annual Council Session and Joint Public Advisory Committee (JPAC) Public Forum of the Commission for Environmental Cooperation (CEC). Hosted under the theme "Nexus Between Circular Economy and Nature-based Solutions in North America," the session marked a strong reaffirmation of trilateral cooperation on urgent environmental priorities. The two-day event brought together members of the Council—Secretary Alicia Bárcena of Mexico's Secretariat of Environment and Natural Resources (Semarnat), Michael Bonser, Associate Assistant Deputy Minister of Environment and Climate Change Canada and the United States Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Lee Zeldin —alongside Indigenous and community leaders, subject matter experts, business leaders, youth and members of the public. The members of the CEC Council agreed to: Promote approaches to conservation and recycling in the region through the trilateral project "WaterWISE: Integrated Water/Wastewater Integrated Solutions for Effectiveness," aimed at developing strategies for the decentralized wastewater treatment, in order to treat water based on quality standards. Launch the eighth cycle of the North American Partnership for Environmental Community Action (NAPECA), under the theme "Community-based Circular Economy Strategies to Improve Local Well-being and the Environment," to promote conservation and recycling. Initiate the five-year review of the Environmental Cooperation Agreement with the goals of improving the effectiveness of the CEC. Ensure the Submission of Enforcement Matters (SEM) process continues to promote transparency, efficiency and accountability among the Parties and upholds the principles of objectivity, neutrality and impartiality. Develop a 2026–2030 Strategic Plan to modernize and enhance the effectiveness of our regional cooperation initiatives, ensuring a greater, measurable positive impact for our communities. Continue strengthening environmental information systems, as well as joint monitoring systems and the generation of open, reliable, and comparable data on the state of the environment in North America. Facilitate the participation of Indigenous Peoples, civil society, academia, youth, the private sector and communities of North America in CEC activities. Promote greater awareness of shared environmental challenges and identify collaborative solutions. Continue fostering collaborative work to support institutional and community capacity-building across North America. Alongside the Council Session, the JPAC Public Forum provided a space for open dialogue between the public and government representatives. Under the theme, "Building Sustainable Economies: Circular Models and Nature-based Solutions for a Resilient North America," the forum explored how circular economy practices and nature-based solutions can work together to restore ecosystems, reduce waste and build resilience in communities most affected by environmental change. The event recognized that over the past three decades, the CEC has become a vital trilateral platform for environmental cooperation; one that continues to adapt to emerging needs and challenges while remaining grounded in transparency, public engagement, and mutual respect. To consult the #CEC32 Ministerial statement, click here. For background information, speaker bios and the Session's full agenda, visit: Engage with us! If you would like to know more about CEC initiatives, opportunities and efforts, we encourage you to sign up for our newsletter and follow us on social media. About the CEC The Commission for Environmental Cooperation (CEC) was established in 1994 by the governments of Canada, Mexico and the United States through the North American Agreement on Environmental Cooperation, a parallel environmental agreement to NAFTA. As of 2020, the CEC is recognized and maintained by the Environmental Cooperation Agreement, in parallel with the new Free Trade Agreement of North America. View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE Commission for Environmental Cooperation View original content to download multimedia:
CNN
5 days ago
- Health
- CNN
US and Mexico agree to long-term wastewater treatment plan in the San Diego-Tijuana region
The governments of Mexico and the United States signed a memorandum of understanding on Thursday to fund and expedite several wastewater treatment projects in the Tijuana River basin. Untreated wastewater continually affects residents living along the river, which flows across the border from Tijuana and through several of San Diego's southern neighborhoods. Residents living along the river have long battled severe health issues which researchers say stem from the river's contamination. One research team based at the University of California San Diego found that trace amounts of waterborne chemicals from tires, personal care products, and even illicit drugs present in the Tijuana River are being introduced into the air — exacerbating health concerns for tens of thousands of residents living on its banks. In Thursday's event celebrated in Mexico City, US Environmental Protection Agency Secretary Lee Zeldin and Mexico's Secretary of the Environment and National Resources of Mexico Alicia Bárcena agreed to a series of actions to be taken by both governments by 2027 to address the deteriorating wastewater treatment crisis. The agreement stipulates that both Mexico and the US will re-commit to funding the construction and renovation of water treatment infrastructure on both sides of the border. The document also accelerates several projects to be completed over the next two years. 'What we are doing, in reality, is trying to resolve once and for all the problem of wastewater from the Tijuana River,' Bárcena said during her speech on Thursday. Zeldin concurred, saying the agreement represented 'a huge win for millions of Americans and Mexicans.' He attributed the success to President Trump's distinct interest in the issue and noted that addressing the water contamination crisis will ensure a safer environment for residents and Navy SEALS training on nearby beaches. Former Commissioner of the International Water and Boundary Commission (IBWC) Maria-Elena Giner called the agreement 'excellent news' toward reaffirming commitments made by the US and Mexican officials in Minute 328, which outlines how Mexico and the US will share the costs of operating and maintaining water treatment infrastructure on the border. Permanent and continued diplomacy, transparency of information, and defined concrete action with Mexico will be needed. Former IBWC Commissioner Maria-Elena Giner Funding wastewater treatment facilities and their continued operation has posed a constant challenge; this agreement sets expectations for construction and rehabilitation projects that haven't yet been financed. But given that Bárcena's and Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum's Morena party currently controls the country's legislature, it is likely the funds could be allocated in the 2026 and 2027 budgets. At the Mexican President's daily press briefing on Friday, Bárcena noted that she is working to secure an agreement where the US and Mexico each cover half the costs of upgrading the critical San Antonio de los Buenos treatment plant, located southwest of Tijuana. She estimates the improvements for this project alone will cost $67 million or 1.2 billion pesos. CNN's Verónica Calderón and Isa Cardona contributed to this report.
Express Tribune
11-06-2025
- Politics
- Express Tribune
Nations call for strong plastics treaty
More than 90 countries called on Tuesday for a global treaty to restrict plastic production, ahead of another round of hard-fought negotiations on the pact. The talks collapsed in late 2024 with nations unable to agree on how to stop millions of tonnes of plastic waste from entering the environment each year. Ahead of the next round of negotiations in August, ministers from 95 countries issued a symbolic call for a binding treaty that caps plastic production and phases out harmful chemicals. "This declaration sends a clear and strong message: we will not give up," France's environment minister Agnes Pannier-Runacher said at the UN Ocean Conference in Nice in southern France, where the statement was issued. "We must reduce our production and consumption of plastics." So-called "high-ambition" nations have long pushed for the accord to include caps on the manufacture of new plastic, which is largely made from chemicals derived from fossil fuels. An opposing group of "like-minded" countries — mostly oil and petrochemical giants — have rejected calls for production limits, and pushed instead for a treaty that prioritises waste management. Mexico's environment minister Alicia Barcena said caps on plastic were critical "to send a message on the root of the plastic crisis" and recycling and waste management alone would not solve the problem. In 2019, the world produced around 460 million tonnes of plastic, a figure that has doubled since 2000, according to the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development.
Japan Today
10-06-2025
- Politics
- Japan Today
Nations call for strong plastics treaty as difficult talks loom
Countries have been negotiating a global treaty to address a torrent of plastic entering the environment, including the oceans. More than 90 countries called on Tuesday for a global treaty to restrict plastic production, ahead of another round of hard-fought negotiations on the pact. The talks collapsed in late 2024 with nations unable to agree on how to stop millions of tons of plastic waste from entering the environment each year. Ahead of the next round of negotiations in August, ministers from 95 countries issued a symbolic call for a binding treaty that caps plastic production and phases out harmful chemicals. "This declaration sends a clear and strong message: we will not give up," France's environment minister Agnes Pannier-Runacher said at the U.N. Ocean Conference in Nice in southern France, where the statement was issued. "We must reduce our production and consumption of plastics." So-called "high-ambition" nations have long pushed for the accord to include caps on the manufacture of new plastic, which is largely made from chemicals derived from fossil fuels. An opposing group of "like-minded" countries -- mostly oil and petrochemical giants -- have rejected calls for production limits, and pushed instead for a treaty that prioritizes waste management. Mexico's environment minister Alicia Barcena said caps on plastic were critical "to send a message on the root of the plastic crisis" and recycling and waste management alone would not solve the problem. In 2019, the world produced around 460 million tons of plastic, a figure that has doubled since 2000, according to the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development. Plastic production is expected to triple by 2060. But just nine percent of plastic is recycled globally and every day, the equivalent of 2,000 garbage trucks worth of plastic waste is dumped into oceans, rivers and lakes. "We are heartened to see this demonstration of ambition from the majority of countries, who are showing a united front against the small number of petro-chemical states trying to prevent a strong treaty," said Ana Rocha from GAIA, an alliance of activist groups. The declaration also called for the elimination of "chemicals of concern" in plastics that are harmful to human health and the environment. A treaty lacking these elements or based on voluntary measures "would not be effective to deal with the challenge of plastic pollution", they said. Plastic pollution is so ubiquitous that microplastics have been found atop Mount Everest, in the deepest ocean trench, and in human blood and breastmilk. U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Tuesday urged nations to "confront the plague of plastic pollution" and expressed hope the treaty talks would be concluded this year. © 2025 AFP
Yahoo
10-06-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Nations call for strong plastics treaty as difficult talks loom
More than 90 countries called on Tuesday for a global treaty to restrict plastic production, ahead of another round of hard-fought negotiations on the pact. The talks collapsed in late 2024 with nations unable to agree on how to stop millions of tonnes of plastic waste from entering the environment each year. Ahead of the next round of negotiations in August, ministers from 95 countries issued a symbolic call for a binding treaty that caps plastic production and phases out harmful chemicals. "This declaration sends a clear and strong message: we will not give up," France's environment minister Agnes Pannier-Runacher said at the UN Ocean Conference in Nice in southern France, where the statement was issued. "We must reduce our production and consumption of plastics." So-called "high-ambition" nations have long pushed for the accord to include caps on the manufacture of new plastic, which is largely made from chemicals derived from fossil fuels. An opposing group of "like-minded" countries -- mostly oil and petrochemical giants -- have rejected calls for production limits, and pushed instead for a treaty that prioritises waste management. Mexico's environment minister Alicia Barcena said caps on plastic were critical "to send a message on the root of the plastic crisis" and recycling and waste management alone would not solve the problem. In 2019, the world produced around 460 million tonnes of plastic, a figure that has doubled since 2000, according to the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development. Plastic production is expected to triple by 2060. But just nine percent of plastic is recycled globally and every day, the equivalent of 2,000 garbage trucks worth of plastic waste is dumped into oceans, rivers and lakes. "We are heartened to see this demonstration of ambition from the majority of countries, who are showing a united front against the small number of petro-chemical states trying to prevent a strong treaty," said Ana Rocha from GAIA, an alliance of activist groups. The declaration also called for the elimination of "chemicals of concern" in plastics that are harmful to human health and the environment. A treaty lacking these elements or based on voluntary measures "would not be effective to deal with the challenge of plastic pollution", they said. Plastic pollution is so ubiquitous that microplastics have been found atop Mount Everest, in the deepest ocean trench, and in human blood and breastmilk. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Tuesday urged nations to "confront the plague of plastic pollution" and expressed hope the treaty talks would be concluded this year. np-aag/jxb
