Globalized supply chains: Emergent telecouplings in Mexico's beef economy and environmental leakages. (May 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Galvan-Miyoshi, Yankuic; Simmons, Cynthia; Walker, Robert; Aranda Osorio, Gilberto; Martinez Hernandez, Pedro; Maldonado-Simán, Ema; Warf, Barney; Astier, Marta; Waylen, Michael
• Is Part Of: Global environmental change. Volume 74(2022)
• Publication Date: 2022-05
• Subjects: Telecoupling -- Climate Change -- Intensification -- Deforestation -- Land Sparing -- Borlaug; Environmental policy -- Periodicals; Human ecology -- Periodicals; Nature -- Effect of human beings on -- Periodicals; Environment -- Periodicals; Environnement -- Politique gouvernementale -- Périodiques; Écologie humaine -- Périodiques; Homme -- Influence sur la nature -- Périodiques; Environmental policy; Human ecology; Nature -- Effect of human beings on; Periodicals; Electronic journals; 333.7
• DOI: 10.1016/j.gloenvcha.2022.102486
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0959-3780

Abstract

Graphical abstract: Highlights: Tracks emergence of telecouplings as function of globalization. Links Mexico's trade liberalization to telecoupled deforestation and GHG emissions. Demonstrates that intensification of Mexico's beef production does not spare land. Transnational deforestation leakage with domestic deforestation reductions. GHG emissions from cattle herd greatly exceed GHG emissions from deforestation. Abstract: This article analyzes how trade liberalization in Mexico, particularly following the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), has transformed that nation's cattle economy into a feedlot system manifesting multiple telecouplings and based on the transnational provision of inputs. A conceptual model is presented that suggests how environmental effects involving land use and GHG emissions emerge from changes in the beef supply chain. The article then presents an empirical analysis establishing that the production of corn and beef has intensified in the wake of NAFTA, and that deforestation rates have declined over the same period. Evidence is also presented showing that this has not precipitated a land sparing effect, given the leakage of deforestation into Central America, which supplies Mexican feedlots with 36 % of their source materials. The article calculates associated GHG emissions and establishes that enteric fermentation dominates deforestation as a source, and that ∼14% of GHGs produced by the post-NAFTA Mexican supply chain are emitted in Central America. This raises accounting questions for signatories to the Paris Climate Treaty, given commitments are nation-based.