Mexico is preparing to relaunch its national carbon market with an ambitious plan that combines unlimited use of carbon offsets under its emissions trading system (ETS) and the creation of a new national registry to strengthen transparency and supply.
Aerial view of Lacandon Jungle, Chiapas, Mexico — lush rainforest, winding turquoise rivers and cascading waterfalls. AI generated picture.
The federal government aims to operationalise its ETS by late 2025 or early 2026, offering companies the flexibility to offset their emissions entirely through carbon credits. Officials say the move is designed to ease compliance costs and attract investment in local projects.
‘Our goal is to have no limit [on the use of offsets] because companies’ task is just too big’, said Jose Luis Samaniego, subsecretary for sustainable development at the Secretariat of Environment and Natural Resources, at the Mexico Carbon Forum. ‘And I doubt that all economic sectors will advance with technological development at speed… so our breakthrough will be by making it cheap to reduce emissions.’
Samaniego also emphasised the role of nature-based solutions, citing the restoration of mangroves and forests as central to generating credits. Covering even 10% of national emissions under the ETS would require around 67 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalent.
Read more: Brazil targets 2026 for national carbon registry launch
In parallel, the Mexican Stock Exchange’s carbon platform MexiCO2 announced the creation of the ‘Mexican Registry for the Green Transition’, expected to launch in December with support from federal and state governments. The platform is designed to provide transparency, traceability, and access to financing for carbon projects, aligning international standards with domestic needs.
‘The registry emerges as a platform that provides information to strengthen the competitiveness of the national carbon market through the adaptation of international standards to national circumstances’, MexiCO2 said in a statement. Eduardo Piquero, general director of MexiCO2, added that the initiative seeks ‘a framework of transparency, traceability, and trust for mitigation projects, while at the same time facilitating their access to financing and their integration with Mexico’s climate commitments.’
The registry will work alongside foreign standards such as the US-based Climate Action Reserve. Projects validated under the system will be eligible for use in state-level carbon tax programmes and eventually within the national ETS.
‘Mexico needs to generate more certified emission reductions to meet its obligations under the Paris Agreement’, said Ricardo Torres, subsecretary for the environment at Querétaro, one of nine states with carbon tax schemes. ‘Today we have a few projects, and it is necessary to facilitate the development of new initiatives in sectors such as energy, waste management, and agriculture.’
With both an expanded ETS and a centralised registry on the horizon, Mexico is laying the groundwork for a more robust carbon market that could channel significant investment into domestic mitigation efforts.
Read more: What business leaders need to know before buying carbon offsets
As Mexico moves towards unlimited offset use and a national registry to strengthen trust and transparency, the demand for credible, high-impact projects will only increase. For companies, this highlights the importance of selecting offsets that meet the highest standards for integrity, permanence, and co-benefits, ensuring they align with broader decarbonisation goals. At Green Earth, we deliver premium, nature-based carbon units from projects that restore ecosystems, enhance biodiversity, and support local communities. As end-to-end providers, we ensure full verification and transparent reporting, giving businesses confidence that their investment generates measurable environmental and reputational value.
