Protected Agriculture

Aligning agricultural investments with climate goals

Mexico has experienced rapid growth in greenhouse-based agriculture, making it a focal point for the development of our Protected Agriculture Criteria. 

From 2000 to 2015, protected agriculture in Mexico expanded from 790 hectares to over 23,000 hectares, with an annual growth rate of 25%. This growth is driven by high demand from the U.S. market importing 80% of Mexico’s greenhouse-based products and trade policy incentives.
 

About the Protected Agriculture Criteria

These Criteria set out the requirements for protected agriculture projects to achieve Climate Bonds Certification. Projects must also comply with the overall Climate Bonds Standard. 

The Criteria apply to facilities such as: 

• Greenhouses made from materials like PVC film or glass.
• Systems for enclosure or isolation.
• Precision fertiliser use and non-soil substrates.
• Advanced infrastructure, including computer-controlled air and light systems.
   

A science-based approach

Developed through a peer-reviewed process, the Criteria were assessed for both scientific and financial feasibility. While initially focused on Mexico, plans to adapt the Criteria for global use were reconsidered due to differing energy needs in other regions. As a result, no further work is planned for global application at this time.