Kateri Callahan Talks Energy-Efficient Housing in Mexico

The 3rd International Sustainable Housing Forum, held this year in Mexico City, focused on how Mexico and other countries can build more houses with fewer resources – and the Alliance was there to fly the flag of energy efficiency.

At the forum, which brought together political leaders and environmental advocates from around the world Sept. 6-9, Alliance President Kateri Callahan presented the Energy Efficiency Visionary Award to Mexican President Felipe Calderón and the International Star of Energy Efficiency Award to Mexico.

Building Sustainable Cities

 The forum focused on best practices in design and construction of housing developments throughout Mexico, with a goal of creating sustainable cities. Organized by two influential housing organizations, the Comisión Nacional de Vivienda (the National Housing Commission or “CONAVI”) and the Instituto Fondo Nacional de la Vivienda para los Trabajadores (the National Fund for Housing for Workers Institute or “INFONAVIT”), the forum highlighted the importance of energy efficient housing as a stepping stone to sustainable cities.

Both CONAVI and INFONAVIT have used innovative ideas to push green ideas. INFONAVIT, the national Housing Fund, uses Green mortgage plans that financially encourage homeowners to include energy-efficient features and products when renovating their homes. CONAVI, the National Housing Commission, is working to introduce energy efficient standards and codes nationally.

Photo: Mexican Energy Secretary Jordy Herrera Flores accepts Calderón’s EE Visionary Award from Callahan.

Awarding Progress, Encouraging Building Codes in Mexico

Callahan addressed the assembly twice during the conference. In her first address to the assembly, Callahan discussed the importance of building codes as a pathway to net-zero energy buildings. Through examples of building codes within the United States, Callahan demonstrated how Mexico can pursue greener standards.

On the following day of the conference, Callahan presented two awards from the Alliance to Mexico and Calderón for the energy efficiency advancements made in the country.  Callahan highlighted Calderón’s partnership with President Barack Obama to fight climate change and applauded Mexico’s commitment to cutting greenhouse gas emissions by 50 million tons per year by 2012.

Related Content on Mexico’s CONAVI, INFONAVIT

• Local Projects Share Success Stories at COP16 (Dec. 2, 2010)
• CONAVI, INFONAVIT Honored as 'Stars of Energy Efficiency' (Aug. 17, 2009)
• ‘Stars of Energy Efficiency’ Shine Brightly at Alliance to Save Energy Gala (Sept. 9, 2009)
• Alliance to Save Energy Honors Mexico President Calderón, Mexico's Housing Agencies, for Promoting Energy Efficiency (sept. 23, 2009)