In 2011, Mexico City authorities announced the closure of the Bordo Poniente Landfill, one of the world’s largest landfills and the city’s leading source of greenhouse gas emissions. An international public tender to generate clean electricity from landfill methane was released shortly thereafter. The landfill closure project—a collaboration between Mexico City, C40 Cities, and the Clinton Climate Initiative—is touted as a model for sustainable waste management. Positive impacts of the project include enough clean energy to power about 35,000 homes plus public streetlights as well as the creation of local construction and operation jobs. The project was critical in enabling Mexico City to meet its emissions-reduction goals per its Climate Action Program and Green Plan. Key actions and good practices associated with this project are highlighted below.
- The project cut across the public services of waste management and electricity generation, so local political commitment was integral to success.
- Public tenders were an effective mechanism for supporting this waste-to-energy project.
- International partners provided expertise to support successful outcomes.