North American Transnational Environmental Actors and Mexico

Abstract

During the debate over the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), environmental issues were at the heart of contentious politics in the region, with the formation of highly influential coalitions and networks either opposed to the agreement or successfully advocating the introduction of commitments on labor and environmental protection within the latter. Many of the environmental non-governmental organizations (ENGOs) involved in those struggles have continued their activities regarding Mexico during the last ten years. Some maintain their interest in pursuing the links between growing trade and environment. Others attempt to prevent further deterioration of Mexican environmental conditions by promoting stricter enforcement of environmental laws. A handful of them are directly participating in conservation efforts. These organizations have maintained or reinforced their transnational links. ENGOs have carried out their joint work mainly through networks. Their activities sometimes have shown a quite contentious character. In this chapter I will explore the new aims, strategies, and impact of these networks on Mexican policies. Emphasis on Mexico is considered appropriate since the main concern of US and Canadian ENGOs during NAFTA’s negotiations was Mexico’s environmental performance (related to both potential ‘unfair competition’ of goods and migration of ‘dirty industry’ to this country which could promote a ‘race to the bottom’ in environmental regulation in North America).