Mexico Blocks Royal Caribbean Project as Carbon Alliance Launches

This week in sustainability news: SEMARNAT has blocked Royal Caribbean’s “Perfect Day México” project in Mahahual, Quintana Roo, citing environmental concerns. Meanwhile, the Mexican Stock Exchange and MÉXICO2 launched the Mexican Carbon Alliance, aiming to connect carbon trading platforms directly with commercial banks and investment desks to boost transaction volumes. Separately, Indigenous communities and civil society organizations held a demonstration in Mexico City, calling on President Claudia Sheinbaum to uphold her campaign pledge to ban hydraulic fracturing.

More news below:

SEMARNAT Blocks Royal Caribbean Project in Mahahual

Mexico’s Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources (SEMARNAT) will not approve Royal Caribbean’s “Perfect Day México” project in Mahahual, Quintana Roo. Royal Caribbean had positioned the site as part of its “Perfect Day” destination model, similar to its private-island experience in the Bahamas. The project was expected to open in 2027 and attract thousands of visitors per day to a community of fewer than 3,000 residents. However, the proposal triggered strong opposition because of its location near the Mesoamerican Reef System, the second-largest coral reef system in the world. Activists argued that the development could affect coral reefs, mangroves, coastal ecosystems, protected species, and the aquifer system that supports Mahahual. 

BMV, MÉXICO2 Expand Carbon Trading with New Alliance

The Mexican Stock Exchange (BMV) and MÉXICO2 have launched the Mexican Carbon Alliance (AMMC) to expand the scale of the national carbon market, increase financial sector participation, and direct capital toward emissions-reduction projects. The alliance aims to connect carbon trading platforms directly with commercial banks and investment desks to boost transaction volumes. Eduardo Piquero, Director General, MÉXICO2, said the alliance’s primary objective is to expand domestic demand and establish a structured vehicle for climate capital. “Local mechanisms have proven their capacity to reduce emissions and mobilize resources,” Piquero said. “The alliance will expand Mexican demand and consolidate a market that finances climate projects with greater scale, certainty, and private-sector participation.”

Mexico Civil Groups Press Sheinbaum on Fracking Pledge

Indigenous communities and civil society organizations held a demonstration in Mexico City to demand that President Claudia Sheinbaum uphold her campaign pledge to ban hydraulic fracturing. The protest, organized by the Mexican Alliance Against Fracking (Alianza Mexicana contra el Fracking), highlighted a growing rift between the administration and grassroots groups following the government’s recent proposal to explore “sustainable fracking” as a means of increasing national energy independence.

Mercado Libre Recycles 89% of Waste in Mexico

Mercado Libre recovered 89.4% of the waste generated by its operations in Mexico during 2025, equivalent to nearly nine out of every 10kg of waste produced, as the company expanded its circular economy strategy across logistics and packaging operations. The milestone, announced on World Recycling Day, was driven primarily by the recycling of cardboard, wood and plastic, the company said.