sustain dev mex1_-_pa_template_7_jan2011

Sustainable Developmentin Mexico

Presented by: Letvia M. Arza-Goderich

04/08/23 09:57 © PrestonArza - All Rights Reserved 2

Sustainable Development - History

1972: The Club of Rome advanced the notion of “zero growth” – Theory: economic growth is the primary cause of environmental degradation; thus, the goal of sustainable development policy should be ‘no growth.’

Many environmental activists continue to embrace and lobby to advance this view today.

However, the concept has evolved through world summits– Our Common Future (1987)– Agenda 21 – The Rio Summit (1992)– Rio +5 (1997)– Johannesburg World Summit (2002)


Sustainable Development Defined

The environment has a limited capacity to absorb the effect of human activity.

Humanity has the ability to make development sustainable (i.e., ensuring that the needs of the present generations are met without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs).

Breakthrough: Concept of intergenerational equity demands conservation of resources by present generations to ensure steady reserve for future consumption by generations to come.

– Source: Bruntland Report (World Commission on Environment and Development, 1987).

Mexico’s Challenges

Mexico’s economic crisis (1982-1996) had effects that contrasted sharply with the world-wide launch of the sustainable development movement.– The economy, the environment, and social welfare suffered

gravely.– Socially and politically, Mexico’s crisis and its harsh national

realities made it difficult, if not impossible, for the nation to embrace the principle of limiting economic growth advanced by the early sustainable development movement.


Resurgence of Mexico’s Economy

Mexico restructured its economy through: Trade liberalization and reform

– More international commercial treaties than any other nation in the hemisphere.

Strong industrialization Prudent fiscal and monetary policies Deregulation

Source: Pacheco-Vega, “The Challenge of Sustainable Development in Mexico,” Journal of Business Administration and Policy Analysis (1999)


The Challenge

In its battle to leave its economic crisis behind, Mexico faced a dual challenge:– Achieving economic recovery, while– Combatting environmental degradation.

Mexico’s leaders for the past several decades have recognized the correlation between the environment and economic development.


Meeting the Challenge:Legal Framework

Mexico enacted a constitutional right to sustainable development and an adequate environment.– Major breakthrough in Mexican environmental and

constitutional law, with deep repercussions: A Mexican citizen may sue on constitutional

grounds for his or her right to an adequate environment.


Meeting the Challenge: Government Action

Built system of indicators to measure environmental impact of government policies and programs.– Abandoned burning of 70% of natural gas in petroleum exploitation

(2000)– Avoided emission of tons of carbon dioxide– Substantially reduced methane gas emissions

Ratification of treaties and conventions advancing the cause of sustainable development.– First country in Americas to ratify Kyoto Protocol– Leading role in World Summit on Sustainable Development.

Initiative in fostering sustainability as a global development model: Monterrey Conference (2002):– Increase sustainable development aid– Develop new mechanisms to finance sustainable development.


Mexico as Defender of World’s Bio Resources

Decreed its Exclusive Maritime Economic Zone as a Refuge for Whales and Dolphins

Efforts to enact national legislation to promote safe and responsible research and sustainable use of genetic resources– Source: Statement of President Vicente Fox

Quesada at World Summit on Sustainable Development (Johannesburg, Sep. 3, 2002)



Drove creation of Like-Minded Megadiverse Countries– Agreed to join effort to significantly reduce loss of

biodiversity by 2010 Promoted implementing Convention on Biological

Diversity by creation of International Regime for equitable distribution of benefits resulting from utilization of genetic resources– Source: Statement of President Vicente Fox

Quesada at World Summit on Sustainable Development (Johannesburg, Sep. 3, 2002)



Advocate of protection of local and indigenous peoples and the just valuation of their traditional knowledge as a factor in the granting of intellectual property rights affecting areas of great natural resources and cultural wealth– Effective battle against poverty– Fostering dignified life– Advancing investment in health

Source: Statement of President Vicente Fox Quesada at World Summit on Sustainable Development (Johannesburg, Sep. 3, 2002)


Mexico and Sustainable Development: The Track Record

Amongst three NAFTA countries, Mexico has achieved the best track record under internationally recognized indicators:– Lowest use of forest resources– Lowest level of municipal emissions– Lowest level of emission of sulphur oxides

Troublesome: Mexico remains the NAFTA country with the lowest percentage of protected areas.


Mexico as Promoter ofSustainable Tourism

Home to 26 UNESCO World Heritage Sites (recognized by international convention for their outstanding universal value), protected by 1972 UNESCO World Heritage Convention and promoted by UN Foundation sustainable development program– Protected by UN programs to promote responsible tourism

and travel practices to preserve their rich world cultural and natural heritage

Mexico Tourism Board (1974) fosters travel and tourism industry as partner in sustainable tourism practices

Source: Friends of World Heritage, News Release, May 21, 2007


Sustainable Real Estate Development in Mexico

Case in point: LORETO BAY in central region of Baja California– Project developed on the basis of sustainable

development principles: Partnership with FONATUR, Mexico’s Tourism

Development Fund, to redevelop the Loreto Bay property in a sustainable way.

A sustainable approach to the goal of serving as economic engine to bring prosperity and alleviate poverty in the region.


Loreto Bay’s Approach

Sustainability Priorities:– energy and water conservation– habitat protection and enhancement– reduction of solid waste materials – prevention of air pollution

Economic development through: – housing– planning– training – creation of new jobs and local business enterprises


Loreto Bay’s Contributions

Help fund local medical facility Support local education, culture, recreation, health

and business enterprises Contribute 1% of RE sales in perpetuity to an

independent foundation which supports community social and ecological services


The Sustainability Master Plan

Energy efficient construction – Hybrid construction system with materials made

on site Energy efficient design

– Urbanist villages without gas-powered cars Wind-farm generated energy Solar energy Water conservation Habitat preservation and enhancement



Energy efficient construction – Hybrid construction system with materials made on site

Energy efficient design– Urbanist villages without gas-powered cars

Wind-farm generated energy Solar energy Water conservation

– Eco benign desalination utility on site Habitat preservation and enhancement

– Estuary restoration– Watershed restoration– Waste management– Marine conservation



Agriculture & Landscaping– Growing food on site– Replanting rescued plants

Air Travel Carbon Offsets– In 2006, 200 tons of carbon dioxide emissions


The Results

400 permanent full-time jobs in Loreto to date (6,000 by completion)

Skills development and on-the-job training Employ over 900 construction workers Over $4 million spent on local restaurants,

transportation and hotels during sales events $12 million spent in marketing Increased airline flights to Loreto $10 million spent annually in Loreto Bay, Baja

California Sur


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