Litigation & regulatory leader | Heineken México
Catalina Salinas Sánchez
Litigation & regulatory leader | Heineken México
Can you discuss your or your company’s efforts relating to renewability, sustainability, or other environmentally-friendly activities?
At Heineken México, sustainability is at the heart of our corporate strategy, with a focus on zero CO₂ emissions, circularity, and water conservation. In 2023, we reduced CO₂ emissions by 29.6% (Scope 1 and 2), achieved zero waste to landfill, and reached 2.40 L of water per litre of beer in water-stressed areas. More details can be found in our 2023 Sustainability Report.
In my role within the Legal department, I have embraced the challenge of ensuring that sustainability is deeply embedded in our operations. Beyond guaranteeing regulatory compliance, my responsibility includes anticipating legal trends, guiding the company through evolving environmental frameworks, and participating in industry associations to drive collective action. Additionally, I support new sustainability projects, propose initiatives that enhance corporate environmental responsibility, and ensure transparency to prevent greenwashing in all communications and commitments.
Why are in-house lawyers well-placed to drive change in their organizations?
In-house lawyers can play a crucial role in embedding sustainability into corporate strategies, given our cross-functional perspective of the organisation. Beyond ensuring regulatory compliance, we should be involved in shaping policies, aligning legal frameworks with ESG commitments, and fostering a culture where sustainability is not simply an obligation, but a strategic priority.
By combining legal expertise with business acumen, we can translate environmental regulations into practical, actionable initiatives, helping companies navigate risks, innovate responsibly, and lead by example in their respective industries.