Committee Evaluating Measures to Reduce Contamination
Jaime Herrera Casso, president of Canaco Monterrey, highlighted that business chambers and the state government are assessing measures such as staggered working hours to reduce pollution. With federal government support, they aim to identify the real sources of the problem.
Committee Composition and Current Status
A committee, comprising intermediary organizations like Caintra, Canaco, and Coparmex along with an interdisciplinary team from the state government, is evaluating measures to reduce pollution. These include a possible staggered working schedule for businesses and an emissions inventory.
However, Herrera Casso emphasized the need to tackle underlying causes rather than applying superficial solutions that don’t address the problem.
Federal Government’s Role and Progress
The federal government is conducting a study to create a clear inventory of emissions and assess impacts on air quality. Herrera Casso mentioned in a press conference, “The best outcome so far is that, with federal government support, our president Claudia Sheinbaum—who comes from the environmental sector—is very aware of our air quality issue, particularly acute during winter. She’s backing a deep study of contaminants to identify the main sources and pinpoint true hotspots for problem resolution.”
Identifying True Sources of Contamination
Transportation, the Cadereyta Refinery, fuel quality, and traffic are blamed for pollution. Herrera Casso stated, “We’re addressing smaller issues, but to solve the core problem, we must target deeper causes.”
Governor’s Initiative and Actions
Nuevo León Governor Samuel García Sepúlveda “failed” industrial operations and urged businesses to join the “crusade for better air quality.” This initiative aims to penalize polluters of air, land, and water. A Decree created the Environmental Division to enforce these measures.
- The Environmental Division, in one day, closed four new businesses in Guadalupe and Salinas Victoria for environmental violations.
- Between February and May, state operations shut down seven businesses and constructions in Apodaca, Escobedo, and Santa Catarina.
Herrera Casso commented, “There was communication on this matter; I don’t want to preempt anything as we’re just seeing the industry’s response. We in the commercial sector have identified ways to help decrease pollution, especially in service sectors generating dust in parking lots, open areas, and transportation.”
Industry’s Contributions and Future Solutions
Some convenience and self-service stores are using electric vehicles for merchandise transport, contributing to solutions like circular economy models.
“The issue is environmental and multidisciplinary; we’re taking it very seriously. We hope for higher-level responses, as this year’s air quality crisis made us forget about the water issue,” Herrera Casso concluded.
