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Mexican Industry Takes Voluntary Action Against Climate Change; Government Gives Public Recognition

Mexican Industry Takes Voluntary Action Against Climate Change; Government Gives Public Recognition

Published 02-22-06

Submitted by World Resources Institute

MEXICO CITY - Mexico's environment ministry (SEMARNAT) recognized fifteen major companies today for publicly reporting their greenhouse gas emissions through a voluntary public-private initiative known as the Mexico Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Program.

"Mexico is committed to fight global warming," said Secretary of Environment Jose Luis Luege Tamargo. "Collaborating with industry is a key part of our strategy."

The Mexico GHG Program, the first of its kind in a developing country, is a voluntary program established in 2004 through an agreement between the Mexican Secretariat of Environment and Natural Resources, the World Resources Institute (WRI) and the World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD). Mexico-based CESPEDES is also involved as a program administrator.

The companies being recognized are: Altos Hornos de Mexico, Grupo Cementos Chihuahua, Cooperativa La Cruz Azul, CEMEX, Cementos Portland Moctezuma, Ford de México, Grupo Modelo, Grupo Porcícola Mexicano, Holcim Apasco, Mittal Steel Lázaro Cárdenas, NHUMO, PEMEX, SICARTSA/Villacero, Siderúrgica Tultitlán, and Sumitomo Corporativo de México. The GHG emissions reported by this group represent roughly 25 percent of total national emissions generated by stationary combustion (heat and electricity generation) and industrial processes.

The Mexico GHG Program provides technical tools and training to develop inventories of corporate GHG emissions based on the accounting and reporting principles of the WRI/WBCSD Greenhouse Gas Protocol. Companies that participate in the program can identify opportunities to improve their energy efficiency and develop effective strategies to participate in carbon markets and reduce GHG emissions.

Twenty-seven companies in Mexico are currently participating in the program, including those from the most-energy intensive sectors. The entire cement and petroleum sectors are engaged, as well as major representatives of the iron and steel sector. Besides the companies being recognized, twelve more are currently in the process of developing GHG inventories.

"Mexico has recognized the significant business opportunities that are available from strategic management of GHG emissions," said WRI president Jonathan Lash. "This is important leadership by the Mexican government and industry leaders that will produce both environmental and business benefits."

On August 25, 2004, Mexico became the first country to adopt the GHG Protocol Corporate Standard, published three years earlier by the World Resources Institute (WRI) and the World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD).

"We're proud to be part of this initiative," said Björn Stigson, president of WBCSD. "We commend the Mexican companies who are being recognized today for setting an example and getting ahead of the curve."

The activities of the Mexico GHG Program are supported by SEMARNAT, WRI, WBCSD, the US Agency for International Development, and the Global Opportunities Fund of the British Embassy in Mexico. For further information, visit the Mexico GHG Program at www.geimexico.org and the GHG Protocol at www.ghgprotocol.org.

The Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources (Secretaría del Medio Ambiente y Recursos Naturales) (www.semarnat.gob.mx) is a government agency whose main purpose is to create a State environmental protection policy reversing the trends of ecological deterioration and establishing the basis for sustainable development in the country.

The World Business Council for Sustainable Development (www.wbcsd.org) is a coalition of 180 international companies united by a shared commitment to sustainable development via the three pillars of economic growth, ecological balance and social progress.

The World Resources Institute (www.wri.org )is an independent, non-partisan and nonprofit organization with a staff of more than 100 scientists, economists, policy experts, business analysts, statistical analysts, mapmakers, and communicators developing and promoting policies that will help protect the Earth and improve people's lives.

The Commission of the Private Sector for Sustainable Development-Mexico (CESPEDES) is part of the Mexican Business Coordinating Council (CCE), whose main purpose is to drive the businesses sector toward sustainable development. CESPEDES is an active member of the regional network of the WBCSD.

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The World Resources Institute (WRI) is an environmental think tank that goes beyond research to find practical ways to protect the earth and improve people's lives. Our mission is to move human society to live in ways that protect Earth's environment and its capacity to provide for the needs and aspirations of current and future generations. Because people are inspired by ideas, empowered by knowledge, and moved to change by greater understanding, WRI provides—and helps other institutions provide—objective information and practical proposals for policy and institutional change that will foster environmentally sound, socially equitable development. WRI organizes its work around four key goals:

  • People & Ecosystems: Reverse rapid degradation of ecosystems and assure their capacity to provide humans with needed goods and services.
  • Access: Guarantee public access to information and decisions regarding natural resources and the environment.
  • Climate Protection: Protect the global climate system from further harm due to emissions of greenhouse gases and help humanity and the natural world adapt to unavoidable climate change.
  • Markets & Enterprise: Harness markets and enterprise to expand economic opportunity and protect the environment.
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