International Law on the Environment and Development: The Mexican Contribution

The last 30 years have witnessed the growth of a new perspective on problems of the environment and their links to development. This has issued international juridical instruments which have generated radical transformations within international law. Mexico has been a key agent in the development of international law regarding the environment and has adapted internal legislation to correspond to the evolution of such development. However, the development of international law has also led to the adoption of intrusive international rules regarding what goes on at a national level. Internal instrumentation of commitments acquired internationally tends to create problems. This has led to Mexico's adoption of laws which, through intragovemamental consultation and public scrutiny, limit the discretion enjoyed by authorities in the application of rules and laws.