Currently there are many aspects related to the quality of life of the human being. For several decades now, in most western countries a very important situation has been taking place for the life of the planet, this encompasses the health and well-being of people, therefore, all civilizations that operate in the world. The situation is improvement and care for the environment.
Over time, this topic has evolved according to the technological advances that have been taking place, due to which the companies that are the main economic base of the societies have had to be very closely involved with this aspect, and the results that are expected to be obtained are achieve a competitive economy without affecting the natural resources that are owned in any country and enjoy a healthy environment.
Promoting environmental care has ceased to be a simple trend, to become today one of the main axes of organizations, there are several actions that the business sector has implemented to be part of this trend. In Mexico, this predisposition begins to flourish, and more and more companies join the strengthening of the environmental commitment, using environmentally friendly technologies, which contributes greatly to sustainable development.
The changes have been noticeable, from incorporating into our common lexicon words related to caring for the environment, an example of this the three “R's” (recycle, reduce and reuse), and the one that companies began to take into account this factor and undertake, leaving aside only the profits. As can be seen, the good use of natural resources leads to promoting environmental quality and the economic well-being of society, so that future generations enjoy nature with fullness and confidence.
Development Innovation as a source of development
Innovation is the fundamental basis in the development of companies and societies around the world. As can be seen, ecology offers the business world a mosaic of opportunities for innovation, aimed at promoting economic development without affecting the environment. You can innovate not only a product but also the processes that are carried out, the strategies and the relationships in society.
Now, how is this concept related to sustainable development? Sustainable development is a very complex term which firstly considers the human being and refers to maintaining favorable planetary conditions for the development of human life. That is why the term Eco-innovation arose, in 1996 it was defined as the series of processes and products that increase value to customers and businesses but that do not negatively affect the environment. This concept in recent days has become very important in many aspects and achieving a great impact on companies. Indeed “On the way to a sustainable economy and society, eco-innovation plays a central role, since it relates the two pillars of sustainability:environmental quality and economic well-being ”(Van quoted in Miret, Serraga and Peiró, 2011: 15).
Eco-innovation, Eco-industry and Eco-efficiency
Although Eco-innovation is closely related to concepts such as Eco-efficiency, or
Eco-industry are different terms and that is why we must talk about their differences. First, Eco-efficiency refers to the management philosophy to guide and measure companies and other development agencies in their environmental performance, in other words, it is in charge of measuring the environmental impact of products or services. While the Eco-industry refers to the industry dedicated to the creation of goods and services that help prevent and reduce environmental problems generated by waste in the air, water and soil with cleaner technologies.
Companies that contribute to the environment in Mexico
In Mexico, organizations have begun to contribute to improving the environment through eco-efficient technologies. Below is a list of the most sustainable companies in Mexico.
ALFA: In its aluminum processing plant, which is one of the largest in the world, it recycles more than 483,000 tons per year. Another of its plants became the first with zero waste of the conglomerate last year, since it uses natural gas in 90% of its operations.
ALSEA: It managed to reduce electricity consumption by almost 10% through energy efficient programs and has transformed 256,357 liters of burned oil into biodiesel. For 2018, it seeks to reduce its carbon footprint by 20%.
MOBILE AMERICA: Its recycling program collected 642,091 units of cellular equipment and accessories in 2012; while one of its initiatives for the efficient use of energy is the replacement of motor generators by solar panels.
ARCA-CONTINENTAL: It has water saving and replacement projects such as Rainmaker, recognized in 2012 by the International Water Association and the National Reforestation Program. It is also a leader in pet recycling through PetStar, in conjunction with Coca-Cola and other bottlers.
AXTEL: They have managed to reduce the emission of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere by 31%. Its water consumption has also decreased 54.5%, through a permanent awareness and savings campaign in all its facilities.
CEMEX: Has reduced more than 30% the emission of dust in its production plants, NOx emissions have been reduced by more than 42% and SOx by 21.77% in recent years; while the use of alternative fuels has increased by more than 40%.
WE SHARE BANK: It allocates 2% of annual net profits to Social Responsibility and Sustainability projects; its Foundation supports the environment with the adoption and care of four hectares of the Nevado de Toluca for three years, benefiting more than 234,000 people.
CORPORACIÓN GEO: Seeks to optimize land use through vertical housing developments; promotes the development of bicycle lanes. On the other hand, it uses water-saving technologies, as well as solar heaters.
COCA-COLA FEMSA: It has improved efficiency in the use of water by 20%, from 2004 to date. It has managed to reduce its energy consumption by 21% along with its wind farm that provides clean energy to 85% of operations.
DESARROLLADORA HOMEX: Has installed water, energy and gas saving devices in 82,000 homes; It has built 25 treatment plants and saved 760 tons of wood by using aluminum block construction technology. In her reforestation plan, she has planted 34,780 trees.
Previously, mention was made of the main companies in Mexico that have collaborated in sustainability, this is not an easy task, but it has been proven that, if large companies have managed to support the strengthening and preservation of the environment, micro-enterprises will also do so..
conclusion
Companies in our days begin to offer a series of innovations, which are not so aggressive with our environment, all this under the idea that there can be no economic development without environmental development.
Eco-innovation is the means to achieve a sustainable economy and society, Eco-innovate is to take a step forward, not only to provide higher quality products and processes, but to preserve the natural resources currently available. and not compromise the well-being of future generations. Through Eco-innovation, new solutions are sought that reduce the environmental impact of man on his environment, the correct use of resources is the key to this.
That is why companies must internalize the concept of sustainable development and map out a route towards such a concept, as well as being aware of current environmental legislation in order to achieve the correct establishment and development of any company. Maintaining a positive attitude and making plans on this issue can bring many benefits to any organization, and not only by complying with the laws. A company committed to the welfare of society through caring for the environment can be much more profitable than any other.
References
Ahmed, PK, Shepherd, CD, Ramos, L., and Ramos, C. (2012). Innovation and its context and Innovation and sustainability as generators of growth. In
Innovation management (pp.3-38, pp.287-298). Mexico: Pearson. Forbes Mexico. (2013). The most sustainable companies in Mexico. Recovered from: http://www.forbes.com.mx/las–empresas–mas–sustentables–de– mexico / # gs.9mV9doE
March, IJ, Carvajal, MA, Vidal, RM, San Román, JE, and Ruiz, G., (2009). Planning and development of strategies for the conservation of biodiversity. In Natural Capital of Mexico, 2, 545-572. Recovered from: http://www.biodiversidad.gob.mx/pais/pdf/CapNatMex/Vol%20II/II13_Planificacion%20 y% 20desarrollo% 20de% 20estrategias% 20para% 20la% 20con.pdf
Miret, L., Serraga, M., and Peiró, A. (2011). How do we measure eco-innovation? Analysis of indicators in the tourism sector. At TEC Empresarial, 5 (2), 15-25. Recovered from:
Mojica, CL (2009). What do companies do for the environment? In Cap & Cua, 1, 1-6. Recovered from: https://dialnet.unirioja.es/servlet/articulo?codigo=4020514 Tarifa, J., and Mendieta, C. (2009). The environment in companies and environmental companies. In Industrial Economics, 371, 101-111. Recovered from:
Annexed
Alonso Castelán Deysi Jaqueline
Tel: 9531636299
Email: [email protected]
Aquino Ramírez María del Rosario
Tel: 9531088796
Email: [email protected]
Martínez Santos Diana Laura
Tel: 9531037153
Email: [email protected]
Morales Sánchez Socorro Guadalupe
Tel: 9531399684
Email: [email protected]
Alonso Castelán Deysi Jaqueline: He completed his upper secondary studies at the Federal Preparatory Cooperation School “Héroes del 5 de Mayo”. He is currently pursuing a degree in Business Management Engineering at the Superior Technological Institute of Acatlán de Osorio (ITSAO).
Aquino Ramírez María del Rosario: He is an Agricultural Technician from the Centro de Bachillerato Tecnológico Agropecuario (CBTA) No. 184 in Acatlán de Osorio Puebla. She is currently studying the career of Engineering in Business Management at the ITSAO.
Martínez Santos Diana Laura: She finished her upper secondary studies in high school
"Heroes of May 5". He is currently studying Business Management Engineering at the ITSAO in the city of Acatlán de Osorio Puebla.
Morales Sánchez Socorro Guadalupe: He completed his upper secondary level studies in the
“Escuela Nacional Preparatoria N ° 3, UABJO” in the administrative economic area. She is currently a student of the Business Management Engineering Degree at the ITSAO in the city of Acatlán de Osorio Puebla.
Summary (keywords)
This work emphasizes a new way of innovating, Eco-innovation that drives the care of the environment through the business sector because companies are the main economic base of society, which is why they have had to be very closely involved in this aspect. The expected result is to achieve a competitive economy without affecting the natural resources currently available and not compromising the well-being of future generations. There are several actions that the business sector has implemented to be part of this trend. In Mexico, this predisposition begins to flourish, and more and more companies are joining the strengthening of the environmental commitment, using environmentally friendly technologies.Which contributes greatly to sustainable development.
Key words: Eco-innovation, Business sector, Competitive economy, Sustainable development, Environmental commitment.
Three main ideas
- The concept of innovation as a source of development and its relationship with Eco-innovation. Highlight the difference between the terms: Eco-innovation, Eco-efficiency and Eco-industry, in order to create, measure and prevent negative impacts of business activity on the environment. To know the companies that have been involved with caring for the environment in Mexico.
Importance of spreading the text
Due to the environmental changes that have been caused by business activity, it is necessary to look for alternatives that contribute to sustainable development and the growth of the economy in Mexico. This article is aimed at all interested public on the subject of preservation and care of the environment, mainly the business sector, since this is the main engine of the economy.
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