Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico - Climate change is certainly a real phenomenon as far as the European Union and the Jalisco State government are concerned.

Jalisco Governor Enrique Alfaro, along with various state dignitaries, met with visiting European Union Ambassador Klaus Dieter Rudischhauser February 6 to discuss growing cooperation between the two entities, in particular in regard to EU financing of programs to combat climate change.

European partners have pledged more than 600,000 Euros to Jalisco for its Comprehensive Sustainable Mobility Plan in the metropolitan area.

The funding is part of Euroclima, an initiative that aims to help improve the knowledge of Latin American decision makers and scientists regarding the impact of climate change in the region, so as to facilitate integration of the issue within sustainable development strategies.

"It is hoped that in this way, we can contribute not only to a transition of Latin American cities but also cities here in Mexico toward sustainable mobility and low carbon emissions," said Rudischhauser.

Recent strategies undertaken in Jalisco to help mitigate the effects of climate change include new cycling infrastructure, improved traffic light synchronization, more accurate readings of air contamination, and the MiBici public bike share program.

"The challenges are huge," Alfaro said. "Obviously, we cannot face them on our own."