Despite the Mexican government's statements in favor of environmental protection, the 2010 national budget sets aside only a small amount of money for it, denounced the environmental watchdog Greenpeace. “There is a deficient allocation of resources for environmental protection and for complying with Mexico's national and international goals for reducing the effects of climate change,” Susana Cruickshank, campaign director for Greenpeace-Mexico, told Tierramérica.

The budget, which Congress is expected to approve before Dec. 16, sets aside 3.1 billion dollars for the Natural Resources Secretariat (ministry), or 15 percent less than in 2009.

When it comes to the environment, the political will has been mere words, according to Cruickshank.