This research evaluates the Social Significance Matrix in Mexico’s energy sector, addressing shifting baselines by transitioning from bureaucratic compliance toward resilient, integrated frameworks th
In impact assessment, the "baseline" is increasingly susceptible to socio-political and regulatory fluctuations, becoming a moving target. This paper examines Social Impact Assessment (SIA) in the Mexican oil industry, a sector shaped by the 2014 energy reform and subsequent policy shifts. Drawing on over 50 studies conducted by the Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana, we analyze how changing contractual architectures—ranging from Integrated Exploration and Production Contracts (CIEP) to License Contracts—influence social responsibility implementation.
Central to this analysis is the Social Significance Matrix (MSS), a tool designed to evaluate social interventions beyond administrative compliance. Examining cases like Santuario-El Golpe and Amatitlán, the research reveals a divergence in outcomes: while some frameworks foster territorial development, others revert to fragmented, paternalistic actions. We argue that reliance on bureaucratic ritualism in tools like the MISSE fails to account for dynamic environmental and social baselines. Consequently, this study proposes a shift toward resilient, integrated assessment frameworks prioritizing territorial justice and community stability. In a world of moving baselines, impact assessment must transcend static regulatory hurdles, evolving into a continuous mechanism for navigating uncertainty and ensuring that corporate actions translate into genuine sustainable development.
Professor at UAM-Iztapalapa with a PhD from EHESS Paris. He has led over 50 social impact assessments in the energy sector, specializing in human geography, social risk, and territorial justice.