Analysis of the Public Action derived from the “Hoy No Circula” environmental program in México City, México

Abstract

The present work is a reflection on how an environmental problem is addressed through coercive policies which would result in the confrontation of two human rights. One is to travel through the city and the other is to have a healthy environment. The failed policy does not solve this fundamental problem, but on the contrary it increases the problem, above all it favours political-economic interests. The above mentioned is exemplified by the case report of the environmental program named "Today No Drive", implemented in Mexico City, where the problem of environmental pollution is very high. This programme was the result of a public policy, but it was not really based on the interest of reducing pollution but it was formulated for the benefit of the automotive sector. The objective of this paper is to demonstrate the failure of public policies and class action in pollution control, and to mention external factors that generated which shows international efforts that have been made, and that have shaped the human right to have a healthy environment. This was gained through a historical review of public policies, regulatory framework, jurisprudence and international documents. Also a correlation of information is deduced, analysed and established, concluding how political-economic interests subordinate the public-environmental interest through the simulation of public decisions.