Mexico | Where does it rank in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions?

A comparison of Mexico's GHG emissions with the world is presented, highlighting that the country has increased its emission intensity per unit of GDP since 2019, possibly due to its current energy policy. The influence of the population factor is also analyzed, as well as the contribution by sectors.

Key points

• Key points:
• In 2022, Mexico was be the ninth largest emitter of greenhouse gases (GHG) in the world, and the second largest in Latin America, surpassed only by Brazil.
• Each person in Mexico emits an average of 6 tons of CO2 equivalent per year, ranking the country 79th in per capita emissions. To offset this level of emissions, 5 trees would have to be planted annually for every person in Mexico, and these trees would have to live for at least 50 years.
• There is a positive relationship between countries' income levels and their per capita emissions, but there is growing concern about the inequality of emissions associated with income levels within countries.
• Since 1990, the world has progressively reduced the level of emissions intensity resulting from economic activity, although Mexico did not join this trend until 2009. As of 2019, setbacks have been observed, which means that the country is emitting more GHGs per unit of GDP.
• In terms of sectors, industrial processes are the main emitters in Mexico. The case of the waste sector stands out, since its share in Mexico is more than double its share in the world.

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