Search Climate Insights Directory

Mexico has rapidly increased its solar and wind capacity to meet climate goals, but this expansion has faced significant social conflict. While the 2013-2014 Energy Reform introduced compulsory social impact assessments and consultation requirements to protect Indigenous rights, implementation gaps persist. Many communities report inadequate consultations and a lack of local benefit, leading to project delays and legal challenges, such as the 2020 Supreme Court ruling voiding permits for the Yucatán Solar Park.

The Interamerican Association for Environmental Defense (AIDA) and the Mexican Environmental Law Center (CEMDA) report that at least 14 wind projects in the Isthmus of Tehuantepec, Oaxaca, have generated social and environmental costs that outweigh their benefits. The authors highlight the failure of the Mexican government to ensure free, prior, and informed consent for indigenous communities, the use of unreasonable land lease terms, and the occurrence of threats and violence against local opposition. Environmental damages cited include mangrove deforestation and the destruction of migratory bird habitats. The document calls for a human rights-based development protocol and a process to measure project externalities to ensure sustainability and community benefit.