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The greening of business in mexico
Barkin, David
Barkin, David
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dp110.pdf
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Abstract
"Trends in the 1980s associated with economic liberalization, export-oriented growth and foreign direct investment stimulated a vigorous debate in Mexico about their effects on the environment. While some argued that firms would adopt cleaner technologies others stressed the likely environmental and social costs. By providing an overview and assessment of the corporate response to environmental concerns, this paper looks at what actually happened in the 1990s. It identifies some of the main initiatives which have been taken in such areas as cleaner technology and environmental certification, and also the various institutions which are taking a lead role in promoting corporate environmental responsibility. In addition to assessing the scale and effectiveness of these developments, the paper analyses the implications for environmental protection and corporate environmental responsibility of broader trends associated with the dominant pattern of economic growth. In the wake of the Earth Summit (1992) and the North American Free Trade Agreement (1994), there has been a flurry of institutional activity in Mexico to encourage business corporations to improve their environmental performance. Some significant initiatives have been taken by firms to improve environmental management. Perhaps more important for the long term is the fact that a fairly comprehensive set of institutions private, public and regional is now in place which is stimulating private sector responses in the field of corporate environmentalism. This scenario of incipient but positive technological and institutional change is confronted by another in which some firms are tinkering with improvements in environmental management, making highly exaggerated claims and disregarding crucial aspects related to monitoring and independent verification. The paper questions the content of corporate environmentalism , suggesting that it has focused much too narrowly on technical end-of-pipe solutions to reduce waste streams rather than more thorough-going restructuring to improve community health and safety and the quality of life more generally. Of particular concern are the environmental and social effects of trends associated with the dominant economic strategy being pursued in the country. This strategy has encouraged investment in highly polluting industrial activities and the siting of firms in urban areas with weak infrastructure, planning systems and fiscal regimes. The drive to rapidly modernize and develop certain economic sectors such as tourism has favoured private interests at the expense of both community groups and a developmental approach that balances economic, environmental and social considerations. The analysis reveals a complex scenario of advances and retreats. As in the rest of the world, with greater information about the effects of industrial production and increased concern for the quality of the environment, more public pressure is being placed on business for responsibility."(pg v)
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1999-09
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With permission of the license/copyright holder