UK supports Mexico sustainability goals amid raft of international energy agreements

hapelinium / Shutterstock.com

THE UK government has agreed a deal to provide technical support for Mexico’s sustainability goals, among several international agreements across energy and climate policy.

In a memorandum of understanding (MoU) signed by UK climate minister Katie White and Mexican counterpart Jose Luis Samaniego Leyva, the two countries have pledged “to further promote collaboration and cooperation in respect to climate, energy and nature”. 

The MoU follows updates made by the Mexican government last November to the country’s “nationally determined contribution” to global emissions targets to emphasise the protection of workers in the energy transition and communities most vulnerable to climate change. 

The UK will offer “technical assistance” across eight sectors, including electricity generation, waste, and oil and gas, the MoU said, making repeated references to human rights and gender considerations.

In addition, the UK said it will “support Mexico’s efforts in efficient and sustainable water management”, including treatment and reuse. 

The UK published details of several other international agreements, including an MoU with Belgium on CO2 storage in the North Sea, and a joint statement of cooperation with Canada and Australia after the three countries agreed to join the Electrify Now global electrification initiative launched at London Climate Action Week last month. 

The statement described electrification as “the best way to ensure system reliability and resilience”, and that the three countries “have committed to working together” to secure clean energy supply chains, “including critical minerals, technologies and components required” for the grid.

The statement, issued by White alongside Australian and Canadian counterparts Chris Bowen and Julie Dabrusin, said the “three nations have many things in common”, highlighting that they collectively installed around 12 GW of renewable energy capacity in 2025, “rapidly transitioning to decarbonise our economies, powered by clean energies”. 

However, the three governments, each led by centre-left parties, also face similar political pressures on energy. The Australian government recently announced plans to expand petroleum exploration in Tasmania and Victoria following sustained campaigning from opposition leader and former energy minister Angus Taylor. 

And Canadian authorities were criticised by environmental groups last year for supporting plans to build a new bitumen pipeline between Alberta and British Columbia. The UK government, meanwhile, faces pressure from right-wing parties and trade unions to approve the Rosebank, Jackdaw and Cambo oil and gas developments.