8 December 2011: The UN International Strategy for Disaster Reduction (UN/ISDR) has announced that Mexico City has been awarded the World Green Building Council, Local Climate Action Leadership Award. The Award was presented on the sidelines of the UN Climate Change Conference, in Durban, South Africa.

According to UN/ISDR, Mexico City was awarded for its Climate Action Plan (CAP), and its global leadership on the Mexico City Pact, also known as the Global Cities Covenant on Climate. The Global Cities Covenant on Climate has so far been signed by 147 cities committed to fighting climate change through a range of strategies.

Mexico City’s CAP is a $1 billion package of environmental measures designed to take seven million tons of carbon dioxide out of the atmosphere of Mexico City. According to UN/ISDR the CAP represents a collaborative effort between governmental and private institutions that targets 44 specific actions focused on energy and water savings, transportation, waste management and reforestation. [UN/ISDR Press Release]