Xalapa

AREA:
124.4 km2 (48.0 sq mi)
POPULATION:
488,531
Mexico

Xalapa, the capital of Veracruz State and gateway to Mexico’s only cloud forest, participated in the GEF-6 Global Platform for Sustainable Cities (GPSC) to strengthen waste management and energy efficiency through the SCIAP program. Facing growing solid-waste pressures and limited landfill capacity, Xalapa is implementing an innovative waste-to-energy biodigester plant designed to treat 200 tons of organic municipal waste daily and generate 450 kW of electricity. Operated through a public-private partnership, the facility will extend the landfill’s life span, reduce annual emissions by over 5,000 tons of CO₂ equivalent, and produce compost for local use. Complementary actions include improving water supply and sustainable mobility, reducing reliance on fossil fuels, and advancing circular-economy practices. Xalapa’s integrated approach to waste, water, and energy positions it as a leading GPSC example of low-carbon, resource-efficient urban innovation in Mexico.

Recent initiatives

Transit-Oriented Development

Transit-Oriented Development Public transportation is often a city’s best strategy to curb congestion and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. But rapidly expanding populations and insufficient financing

Municipal PPP

Well-designed and well-managed Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs) can deliver high-quality and cost-efficient infrastructure, helping municipalities address critical infrastructure needs in the face

Gender and Cities

The World Bank Group takes as its starting point that no country, community, or economy can achieve its potential or meet the challenges of the 21st century without the full and equal participation of
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