Abstract

CORTEZ LARA, Alfonso Andrés. Elements of Socio-Environmental Conflict: The Constellation Brands Brewery and Mexicali Water. Frontera norte [online]. 2020, vol.32, e2032.  Epub June 11, 2021. ISSN 2594-0260.  https://doi.org/10.33679/rfn.v1i1.2032.

This article examines data of the Constellation Brands brewery project in Mexicali, Baja California, to determine the extent to which the context of imminent shortages and current overexploitation of water sources threatening Mexicali’s semiarid region is considered into the project. Through a documentary review, official documents and technical studies used as the basis of the brewery project are investigated. The analysis shows the lack of adherence to the concepts of water security (WS), sustainability, and democratic environmental governance, which seek to guarantee fair and equitable access to water, minimize environmental risks and promote the broad and effective participation of social actors in critical decision-making processes. Inconsistencies in technical data related to water consumption are observed, as well as lack of transparency along the process of promotion of the project which resulted in conflicts between promoters and several sectors of local society.

Keywords : water security and sustainability; environmental governance and social conflict; Constellation Brands; Mexicali; Mexico.