Impacts of climate change on the hydrological cycle in Mexico

Abstract

Mexico is implementing policies and actions aimed at mitigating and adapting to the impacts of climate change without compromising the country's development process. The plan is to reduce vulnerability through the implementation of the Special Programme on Climate Change 2009–2012, which includes 105 objectives and 294 goals shared among a number of national institutions. The National Water Commission (CONAGUA) is responsible for measuring the most important variables of the hydrological cycle and addressing the impact of climate change. As such, CONAGUA is in charge of attaining 41 of the 294 goals stated in the Special Programme on Climate Change, which include 37 of the goals set in the National Water Programme 2007–2012 (PNH). It is expected that since a great number of goals are shared by both schemes this can help assure their fulfilment and prove useful in working towards the sustainable use of water, mindful of climate change considerations.

Keywords:

• climate change
• hydrological cycle
• Special Programme on Climate Change
• vulnerability
• public policies
• Mexico