Mexico City's Pollution Crisis: Corruption's Deadly Impact

Mexico City's air pollution has been a concern for decades, with the United Nations declaring it the most polluted city in the world in 1992. The city's high altitude, rapid population growth, industrialisation, and proliferation of vehicles have all contributed to this issue. While the Mexican government has implemented various plans to reduce emission levels, progress has been hindered by institutionalised corruption, which has allowed political corruption to flourish and enabled the influence of transnational criminal organisations (TCOs).

Mexico's history of elite, oligarchic consolidation of power and authoritarian rule has resulted in a lack of transparency and accountability, with power consolidated in the hands of a few. This has created an environment where bribery, electoral fraud, and the manipulation of governmental resources are common, hindering efforts to address air pollution and improve air quality.

The effects of corruption on pollution in Mexico City are evident in the challenges faced by initiatives such as No-Drive Days and the failure to effectively curb the activities of TCOs and drug cartels, which have exploited the country's borders for their criminal activities.

Corruption allows owners of older, more polluting cars to bribe verification centres to pass emissions tests

Corruption has allowed owners of older, more polluting cars to bribe verification centres to pass emissions tests in Mexico City. This has been a significant factor in the city's struggle with air pollution.

Mexico City has long been known for its poor air quality, with the United Nations declaring it the most polluted city on the planet in 1992. The city's high altitude, rapid population growth, industrialisation, and proliferation of vehicles have all contributed to this issue.

One of the key causes of Mexico City's high levels of air pollution is the emission of pollutants from older vehicles. It is common practice for owners of these older, less efficient cars to bribe verification centres' managers to pass the necessary emissions tests. This form of corruption, known as "emission substitution", involves using a low-emitting "donor car" to provide passable emissions readings for one or more non-compliant vehicles.

This practice has been identified through statistical analysis, which shows that emission readings from the same vehicle have a lower variance than readings from different vehicles. In other words, the emissions results of cars tested consecutively are too similar to be random, indicating that a single "donor car" is being used to pass multiple non-compliant vehicles.

This form of corruption has been found to occur in almost all verification centres and has serious consequences for air quality in Mexico City. It undermines the city's efforts to reduce emissions and improve air quality, contributing to the city's ongoing environmental crisis.

Private bus owners have become powerful political actors, allowing public buses to operate without emissions restrictions

Mexico City's air pollution is a well-known issue, and the government has attempted to tackle this through various programs, such as "Hoy No Circula", which restricts driving on certain days according to license plate numbers. However, these efforts have been undermined by institutional corruption. One aspect of this is the influence of private bus owners, who have become powerful political actors.

The private bus network in Mexico City, known as "peseros", is extensive, with around 29,000 buses running more than 1,500 routes, accounting for 60% of all transit in the city and serving around 14 million riders daily. This system is largely unregulated, and anyone with the means can buy a bus, put up a sign, and start operating.

The owners of these private buses have become powerful political actors due to their large numbers and the essential service they provide. They have successfully resisted regulations on diesel buses and emissions restrictions. They have long engaged in illegal agreements with authorities, and bills intended to regulate emissions, such as Norm 044 (NOM-044), have been delayed without explanation. As a result, public buses in Mexico City operate without any kind of emissions restrictions, contributing significantly to the city's air pollution.

The government's attempts to reduce the number of peseros, due to their negative impact on air quality, have faced challenges. As of 2017, the goal was to reduce their number by 20,000, with 6,000 already removed. However, simply removing these buses without replacing them would be disastrous, given the number of residents who rely on them for transportation. This highlights the complex nature of addressing air pollution in Mexico City and the need to balance environmental concerns with the practical needs of the city's residents.

New traffic laws that reduce speed limits have increased fuel consumption and commuting times, leading to higher emissions

Mexico City has been battling air pollution for decades. In 1992, the United Nations named it "the most polluted city on the planet". The city's high altitude, rapid population growth, industrialisation, and proliferation of vehicles have all contributed to this issue.

In an attempt to reduce emissions, the Mexican government has implemented various programs, including the removal of lead from gasoline, the introduction of catalytic converters, and the reduction of sulfur content in diesel fuel. However, one particular set of new traffic laws that decrease speed limits on Mexico City's highways has had some unintended consequences.

According to researchers at the Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, these new traffic laws, which aim to reduce air pollutants, have actually led to higher fuel consumption and longer commuting times, resulting in increased emission volumes. The lower speed limits cause cars to spend more time on the road, which in turn increases fuel consumption and emissions. This is especially true in urban environments where cars are consistently slowing down and speeding up due to obstacles, traffic lights, junctions, and congestion.

While driving at lower speeds can reduce fuel consumption in certain conditions, such as when driving at a steady speed, it is not always the most efficient option. The physics of automobile energy consumption shows that rolling resistance, transmission friction, and air resistance all play a role in fuel efficiency. Air resistance, in particular, is proportional to the square of speed. Therefore, at higher speeds, air resistance becomes a more significant factor in fuel consumption.

However, in urban areas with frequent stops and starts, the repeated depletion and acceleration of energy to reach higher speed limits result in higher fuel consumption. This is further exacerbated by the fact that many cars operate at higher engine revolutions per minute (RPM) at lower speeds, which can increase fuel usage.

The unintended consequences of these new traffic laws highlight the complexities of addressing air pollution in Mexico City. While the intention to reduce air pollutants is commendable, the outcome has been counterproductive, underscoring the need for careful consideration and scientific backing when implementing such measures.

Corruption has delayed the implementation of regulatory measures, such as the Norm 044 bill, which would have regulated emissions from heavy diesel vehicles

Mexico City's air pollution has been a concern for decades, and corruption has been a key factor in the delay of effective solutions. One of the most prominent examples of this is the case of the Norm 044 bill, which was intended to regulate emissions from heavy diesel vehicles.

The Norm 044 bill (or NOM-044) was originally drafted in 2009. However, due to corruption and the influence of private interests, its implementation has been delayed without any logical explanation. This bill was designed to address the issue of old, high-emission public transportation buses in Mexico City, which contribute significantly to the city's air pollution. The owners of these buses have gained political clout and have long engaged in illegal agreements with authorities, allowing them to operate without any emissions restrictions.

The delay in implementing the Norm 044 bill has had significant consequences for Mexico City's environment and public health. Without these regulatory measures in place, bus operators continue to pollute with impunity. This has contributed to the city's poor air quality, which, in turn, affects the health of its residents.

The situation with the Norm 044 bill is just one example of how corruption has hindered efforts to tackle air pollution in Mexico City. Bribery at regulatory enforcement centers, resource embezzlement, and counterproductive policies have also played a role in delaying or undermining environmental initiatives. Addressing institutional corruption is crucial to ensuring that future efforts to improve air quality in Mexico City are successful.

Corruption has resulted in the embezzlement of funds meant for public transportation projects, such as the Mexico City subway line inaugurated in 2012, which was shut down due to structural irregularities

Mexico City's subway system, known as the "Golden Line", has been plagued by issues of corruption and embezzlement. Inaugurated in October 2012, the subway line was touted as one of the most expensive and ambitious public works projects in Mexican history. However, it was soon mired in controversy due to cost overruns, corruption allegations, and structural issues.

The project, which was initially announced in 2007 with a budget of MX$14 billion pesos, ended up costing MX$26 billion pesos (US$1.29 billion as of 2021). The cost overruns can be attributed to budget and time constraints that led to modifications in the original design. The line was supposed to be primarily underground but was changed to include both underground and above-ground sections. This design change has been identified as a factor in the track instability and damage that plagued the line.

The construction of the Mexico City subway line was carried out by Empresas ICA in association with Alstom Mexicana and Grupo Carso, owned by businessman Carlos Slim. However, the project was not without issues during its construction. Before the line opened, it faced technical and structural issues that persisted during its operation. There were also concerns about maintenance and operations, with reports of deterioration within the rail system.

In March 2014, just two years after its inauguration, the elevated section of the line was closed for twenty months due to technical and structural faults. During this partial closure, residents reported that problems persisted for years, even after repairs were completed.

The issues with the Mexico City subway line culminated in a tragic accident on May 3, 2021, when a girder overpass collapsed, resulting in 26 fatalities and 98 injuries. This incident brought to light the consequences of the corruption and embezzlement that had plagued the project.

Enrique Horcasitas, the former director of the project, was accused of authorizing payments to a private company for construction work that never took place. He, along with nine other former officials, faced charges of manslaughter, injury, and property damage. The total cost of building the subway line was US$1.5 billion, 70% over the original budget, raising questions about the allocation of funds and the potential embezzlement of public resources.

The Mexico City subway line tragedy is a stark example of how corruption and embezzlement can have devastating consequences. The issues with the project reflect a broader pattern of corruption and social ills in Mexico, highlighting the need for increased transparency and accountability in public works projects.

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