Environmental groups criticize policy failures in Mexico and Spain

In Mexico, more than 40 organizations and social movements have rejected the concept of ‘environmental humanism’ proposed by Alicia Bárcena, the Secretary of Environment and Natural Resources (Semarnat). Critics argue that current policies fail to address the root causes of the socio-environmental crisis in the Alto Atoyac Basin and instead deepen the grievances of local inhabitants. While Bárcena highlighted significant investments, such as 20 billion pesos for the sanitation of the Lerma-Santiago, Tula, and Atoyac rivers, organizations claim these measures do not yield results without community collaboration. They are demanding stricter environmental standards, safer management of contaminated river sediments, and the inclusion of local communities in decision-making processes.

In Spain, the Red de Representación Ambiental de Asturies (RRAA) has characterized the management of natural areas in Asturias as an ‘environmental failure.’ The group specifically highlighted the Muniellos and Las Ubiñas-La Mesa biosphere reserves, noting they lack effective integrated management instruments despite recent planning updates. The RRAA warns that the current lack of coordinated regulation poses risks to local flora and fauna, including the brown bear and capercaillie. This situation follows a previous unfavorable assessment by UNESCO regarding the functioning of these reserves.