Environmental valuation in Mexico and its integration into environmental decision-making
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.17820865Keywords:
Mexico, environmental assessment methods, multidisciplinary approaches, environmental policyAbstract
Environmental valuation is fundamental for natural resource management and constitutes an essential tool in the environmental impact assessments mandated by Mexican law. Nevertheless, significant limitations persist, including the absence of a standardized methodology and the frequent reliance on studies financed by project developers, which introduces a high degree of discretion. The objective of this research is to critically examine the main approaches to environmental valuation and their implications. The empirical analysis reveals that estimates based primarily on mitigation or replacement costs predominate, characterized by low methodological rigor and limited integration of biophysical and sociocultural metrics, thereby reducing the effectiveness of prevention, mitigation, and compensation measures. To address these shortcomings, an integrated methodological framework is proposed to enhance consistency and technical rigor in environmental valuation processes, ultimately contributing to more robust environmental policy decision-making.
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