Erick Hernández Gallego and Luis Jorge Akle
Publication of the National Agreement on the Human Right to Water and Sustainability
Greenberg Traurig - On 19 December 2024, the National Agreement on the Human Right to Water and Sustainability (the ‘Agreement’) was published in the Official Gazette of the Federation (the ‘DOF’), which contains a diagnosis of the water problem in the country and proposes actions to address it.
The key points of the Accord are summarised below:
On 19 December 2024, the National Agreement for the Human Right to Water and Sustainability (the ‘Agreement’) was published in the Official Journal of the Federation (the ‘DOF’), which contains a diagnosis of the water problem in the country and proposes actions to address it.
Diagnosis
(1) Global Problem:
- The shortage of safe drinking water and adequate sanitation affects millions of people globally.
- The UN highlights the need to address these challenges, including access to safe drinking water, pressure on water resources and mitigation of droughts and floods.
(2) Situation in Mexico:
- Water scarcity affects 35 million Mexicans.
- There are 114 overexploited aquifers; per capita water availability has decreased 80% since 1950.
- High pollution in rivers and water bodies.
- Inequality in the distribution of the resource, affecting states such as Nuevo León, Mexico City and Chiapas.
(3) Impacts of Climate Change:
- Recurrent droughts affected 88% of municipalities during 2024.
- Most water in Mexico is used for agriculture (76%), while only 14.8% is used for human consumption.
Objectives and Strategies
(1) Coordinated Actions:
- Ensure access to sufficient and quality water.
- Promote sustainable practices in agriculture and industry.
- Investment in water infrastructure.
- Technological innovation for water treatment and reuse.
(2) Impact Mitigation:
- Adaptation to climate change through reforestation and environmental restoration.
- Sanitation and restoration of rivers and water bodies.
(3) Awareness-raising:
- Permanent campaign to care for, save and reuse water.
(4) Monitoring:
- Creation of a committee led by the National Water Commission to monitor and report progress on a monthly basis.
Entry into force
The Agreement entered into force the day after its publication in the DOF.
Conclusion
Although the actions foreseen in the Agreement are promising, it will be necessary to await its effective implementation, including secondary regulation, for which there is an initiative for a new General Water Law in Congress that has not yet been approved.
Authors:
Erick Hernández Gallego, Partner, Luis Jorge Akle, Associate, Paula Maria De Uriarte, Trainee
gtlaw.com
Authors: Erick Hernández Gallego, Partner, Luis Jorge Akle, Associate, Paula Maria De Uriarte, Intern
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