Regulating groundwater use: The challenges of policy implementation in Guanajuato, Central Mexico

Despite efforts by both national and state governments to regulate groundwater use through multiple mechanisms—including direct state control, groundwater markets, energy pricing, and user self-regulation—the effectiveness of these policies has been undermined in Guanajuato, Mexico. The study reveals that the close interdependencies among regulatory instruments have hindered their ability to reduce groundwater consumption, preventing progress toward sustainable exploitation levels. Researchers analyzed policy outcomes in the field, demonstrating how complex governance structures can inadvertently weaken environmental sustainability efforts.

Hoogesteger, J., & Wester, P. (2017). Regulating groundwater use: The challenges of policy implementation in Guanajuato, Central Mexico. Environmental Science & Policy, 77, 107–113. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envsci.2017.08.002