The government of Mendoza Province in Argentina recently obtained a five-year green loan worth 23 billion pesos from the National Bank of Spain, specifically for the expansion of the third and fourth phases of the light rail network. This loan has a one-year grace period and is backed by a credit guarantee provided by the federal revenue sharing mechanism, strictly following the Loan Market Association (LMA) green loan standards to ensure that funds are directed towards sustainable projects with clear environmental benefits.

The project plan includes two major extension sections: the 4.8-kilometer northern extension line will directly reach El Plumerillo International Airport and is expected to be officially opened within the year; The 15 kilometer extension of the southern section will reach Luj á n de Cuyo district and is planned to be completed by 2027. At that time, the existing 176 kilometer light rail line will form a more complete urban rail transit network, effectively covering the commuting needs of airports, urban core areas, and emerging communities in the south.

The core goal of this green financing is to promote the green transformation of the public transportation system in Mendoza. By expanding the light rail network, the project will provide a cleaner and more inclusive public transportation option than private car travel, significantly reducing urban transportation carbon emissions and improving the quality of citizens' travel. As the first urban rail transit project in Argentina to receive international green loan certification, this project not only reflects the pioneering practice of Mendoza Province in sustainable urban development, but also provides a replicable demonstration sample for green financing of urban transportation infrastructure in South America.Editor/Cheng Liting