Green Finance Guide 2025: What You Need to Know to Build Sustainable Buildings in Mexico
Building green is not a barrier—it’s an advantage.
That’s the premise of the Green Finance Guide for Sustainable Buildings in Mexico, published by THREE Consultoría Medioambiental in collaboration with GBCI and PEEB. The guide aims to facilitate access to financial resources for building projects that generate positive environmental and social impacts.
This guide is the first coordinated effort to map available green financing tools in the country, identify key stakeholders, and showcase—through real-world cases—that building responsibly and profitably is possible.
A Guide with Purpose
The document was created with two key goals:
- Promote the development of green financing models that scale sustainable construction across Mexico and maximize national impact.
- Encourage the adoption of green financial tools to boost sustainable building practices.
In Mexico, the construction sector accounts for approximately 20% of national greenhouse gas emissions. Yet, it contributes nearly 7% of the GDP and supports around 4.5 million jobs.
A Changing Landscape: Mexico’s Sustainable Taxonomy
Mexico has made significant strides in defining what constitutes a sustainable economic activity. In 2023, the first version of the Mexican Sustainable Taxonomy was released—a classification system identifying sectors and activities that contribute to the country’s environmental and social objectives. This taxonomy aligns investments with commitments such as the Paris Agreement and the 2030 Agenda, providing clarity for investors and financial institutions.
The building sector was one of five priority areas for the taxonomy, reflecting its strategic importance. According to USGBC, buildings are responsible for 37% of global energy demand and 25% of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, making the sector a key area for climate action.
What Financial Tools Are Available in Mexico?
The guide identifies and explains various mechanisms already available in the country to finance green projects, including:
- Green loans
- Green and sustainable bonds
- Multilateral funds and development banks
- Public programs and tax incentives
In addition to describing each instrument, the guide provides links, contacts, and recommendations on how to prepare a project that meets the necessary criteria to be considered “bankable.”
It also highlights over 50 laws and public programs related to sustainability and construction, including energy efficiency standards and fiscal incentives.
Certifications as Financial Tools
A key contribution of the guide is showing how environmental certifications—such as LEED or EDGE—can serve as guarantees of technical quality and environmental performance, making it easier to secure financing.
These certifications validate a project’s sustainability credentials, support ESG reporting, and open doors to new markets. They also align directly with the criteria of Mexico’s Sustainable Taxonomy, which sets specific parameters for energy, water, circular economy, and climate resilience.
Success Stories: Building Green Is Possible
Today, leading real estate developers know that sustainability isn’t just good for the planet—it’s also good business. The guide backs this up with data: green buildings can reduce operating costs by up to 20%, increase property value by at least 10%, and qualify for benefits such as preferential mortgage rates. They’re also highly attractive to institutional investors focused on ESG criteria.
A Guide to Move from Planning to Action
The greatest value of the Green Finance Guide for Mexico lies in its pragmatic approach. It’s not just another diagnostic—it’s a roadmap. While Mexico has made progress in green finance, the guide points to key areas for further growth. These include the need for greater awareness among developers, promoters, and financial institutions, and better inclusion of SMEs, which often face access barriers.
It also emphasizes the importance of local governments offering non-monetary incentives.
Another central point is strengthening the link between environmental certifications and public policy, so that these tools are recognized not only by the market but also by regulatory and financial frameworks.
The 2025 edition is just the beginning. Future updates will incorporate more institutions and financial products with a clear goal: to make sustainable construction no longer the exception—but the standard.
