Team size: 25  
 

Can you discuss your or your company’s efforts relating to renewability, sustainability, or other environmentally friendly activities?   
 
At Grupo Herdez, we are committed to generating actions that reduce our environmental footprint. Aligned with Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 6, Clean Water and Sanitation of the United Nations (UN) Agenda 2030, we are committed to substantially reducing our water consumption per ton produced by 2030. We have issued USD$3,000 m pesos in the stock market through sustainability-linked bonds, making us the first issuer in the food sector to introduce this type of instrument in Mexico.  
 
For the purpose of obtaining quality raw materials and with the goal of preserving the environment, we have implemented a Sustainable Agriculture Programme. Through this programme, we guide, train, supervise, and follow up on the production practices of our agricultural suppliers of fresh raw materials. This includes a focus on protected zones or areas, efficient water use, soil conservation, and maintaining clean air to obtain raw materials without chemical waste. Furthermore, a portion of our energy consumption comes from clean energy sources.  
 

Why are in-house lawyers well-placed to drive change in their organisations?   
 
I believe that this position allows one to truly understand not only the corporate or legal structure of an organisation but also the core operations of a company. As in-house lawyers, we have a 360-degree perspective of how a company is run on a day-to-day basis and of the problems that arise in financial, logistics, procurement, HR, and other relevant areas.  
 
Likewise, as an in-house lawyer, one collaborates and interacts with several departments across the company. These interactions provide the lawyer with insights into the needs of each area as well as the shared needs. All this knowledge allows us to pinpoint crucial issues and areas of opportunity. If improved upon, these areas can result in substantial and comprehensive benefits to our organisation and its employees.  
 

It can be challenging to measure a company’s track record in environmentally friendly behaviour. What, in your opinion, has mostly been missed in discussions about how green a company is?  
 
It is difficult to say that any aspect or topic has been overlooked in discussions about how environmentally friendly a company is. However, I do believe that there is not enough discussion on how to measure the impact of a ‘green’ company on its employees’ personal lives. In other words, how do we determine whether the values and culture of a company are influencing the lives of its employees and their families?  
Beyond theoretical knowledge, companies should make their best efforts to provide training to their employees on how to conserve energy in their households, implement recycling programs, reduce water usage, and provide them with information on sustainable transportation options. A true green culture should extend beyond the four walls of a corporation.