On March 20, 2024, the litigation law firm Guerra, Hidalgo y Mendoza (GHM) and transactional law firm Nader, Hayaux & Goebel (NHG) jointly launched the “ESG Guide for Mexico 2023.” This event, highly relevant for the Mexican legal and corporate sectors, was attended by distinguished professionals in law, executive leadership, and sustainability from leading companies in Mexico. The guide was unveiled as an essential tool for companies transitioning toward sustainable and responsible business practices.

The launch featured an exceptional panel composed of Alexandra Haas, Executive Director of Oxfam Mexico; Pola Salmun, Director of Institutional Relations and Government Affairs at the Memory and Tolerance Museum; and Bernardo Rivadeneyra, Chair of the Corporate Governance Commission at the Mexican Business Council (CCE). The panel was moderated by Jimena Marván, Executive Director of Chapter Zero Mexico. Each panelist contributed valuable perspectives on the importance of integrating ESG criteria into business operations to address today’s environmental and social challenges.

The ESG Guide for Mexico 2023 offers a comprehensive overview of relevant legislation for corporations, directors, and board members in Mexico. It focuses on identifying potential legal risks and challenges, while presenting significant examples in environmental, social, and corporate governance matters. Its purpose is to promote broad understanding of ESG regulations, raise awareness of applicable policies, and support organizations in mitigating legal risks—particularly during the transition to a net-zero carbon economy.

During the presentation, Jesús Guerra, Partner at GHM, emphasized the wide range of legal tools designed to help companies meet ESG standards, as detailed in the guide. He stressed the urgency for companies to adopt these standards proactively, rather than waiting to become the subject of third-party legal action. He noted that noncompliance not only carries legal consequences for companies, but also causes substantial harm to the broader community—especially given the irreversible nature of many environmental and social impacts.

Guerra further argued that anticipating and implementing ESG practices not only helps avoid costly litigation and reputational damage, but also strengthens a company’s commitment to sustainability and corporate social responsibility. This preventive approach is crucial in mitigating the risks associated with ESG noncompliance, ensuring companies operate within a secure legal framework while contributing positively to society and the environment.

Jimena Marván highlighted the guide's value in reducing both legal and business risks, praising NHG and GHM’s efforts to promote understanding and application of ESG criteria in Mexico. She noted that the guide empowers companies, board members, and executives to rethink value creation and their interaction with society and the environment.

Alexandra Haas expanded on this point by noting the risks industrial projects can pose to vulnerable communities if ESG criteria are ignored. Pola Salmun echoed the urgency of action in the face of the climate crisis, underscoring the importance of embedding these standards into business operations for sustainable and balanced development.

Bernardo Rivadeneyra announced the upcoming update to the Code of Best Corporate Governance Practices, which will include climate governance principles and ESG criteria. He acknowledged NHG and GHM’s leadership in providing legal counsel for the adoption of sustainable practices among Mexican companies. Yves Hayaux du Tilly of NHG emphasized that adapting and integrating these principles promotes sustainable economic and social development, highlighting the role of risk management and expert legal counsel in ensuring a successful transition to a net-zero economy.

The development of this guide marks a significant milestone in the joint efforts of GHM and NHG to promote a sustainable and regenerative economy. This project underscores GHM’s key role in collaborating closely with NHG to design and implement legal strategies that help companies adopt and integrate environmental, social, and corporate governance (ESG) criteria.

GHM is part of NHG’s “Sustainable Transition / ESG” Working Group, which also includes renowned academic institutions, government agencies, and leading research centers focused on sustainability and climate governance—among them, Chapter Zero Mexico, whose mission is “to build a community of board directors in Mexico committed to climate governance and transitioning to a net-zero economy by 2050.”

This collaborative approach not only reflects GHM’s commitment to excellence and innovation in legal services, but also demonstrates its leadership in mobilizing the Mexican business sector toward more environmentally sustainable and socially responsible practices.