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

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’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 Mexico, Grupo Modelo, Grupo Porcicola Mexicano, Holcim Apasco, Mittal Steel Lazaro Cardenas, NHUMO, PEMEX, SICARTSA/Villacero, Siderurgica Tultitlan, and Sumitomo Corporativo de Mexico. 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 Bjorn 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.

    - 30 -

The Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources (Secretaria 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.