Mexico Sheinbaum climate scientist shake Lopez Obrador oil legacy

President-elect Claudia Sheinbaum, a climate scientist, faces challenges fulfilling green pledges after a victory fueled by fossil fuel support.

Mexico City's President-elect, Claudia Sheinbaum, a distinguished climate scientist, faces a challenging road ahead in fulfilling her environmental promises following her landslide victory. Mexico is currently grappling with climate change issues such as drought, water scarcity in the capital, and deforestation. Sheinbaum, known for her academic and scientific approach to politics, campaigned on increasing renewable energy to 50% by 2030. However, her predecessor, President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, heavily supported fossil fuel-dependent state energy giants, creating a dilemma for Sheinbaum.

Sheinbaum's victory represents a referendum on Lopez Obrador's policies, with her mentor's popularity influencing her decisions. Balancing her commitment to green energy with Lopez Obrador's legacy poses a significant challenge for Sheinbaum. Despite her efforts as mayor of Mexico City to implement green projects, she has faced criticism for some initiatives that have harmed the environment. She also supports controversial projects like the Mayan Train, raising concerns among activists and scientists.

While Sheinbaum's presidency offers hope for improving Mexico's climate change policies, the country's deteriorating record under Lopez Obrador presents a significant obstacle. Sheinbaum's plan to invest in wind and solar energy faces financial constraints due to the budget deficit left by her predecessor. Pemex, Mexico's state-owned energy company, plays a crucial role in the country's economy, despite being heavily indebted and a major emitter of greenhouse gases. Sheinbaum's challenge lies in balancing the need for renewable energy with the importance of Pemex to Mexico's energy sovereignty.

To achieve her green energy goals, Sheinbaum must adopt a business-savvy approach to attract investment and drive change in the energy and transportation sectors. Increasing the limit for Distributed Generation projects, implementing biofuel policies, and promoting electric vehicles could help Mexico transition towards cleaner energy sources. A national carbon credit framework could also incentivize low carbon initiatives. Despite the financial constraints, Sheinbaum has the opportunity to create a more sustainable and environmentally friendly future for Mexico.