Team size: Eight

Can you discuss your or your company’s efforts relating to renewability, sustainability, or other environmentally-friendly activities?

At Mercado Libre, we prioritise sustainability and environmentally friendly practices across our operations. Our logistics initiatives focus on integrating electric vehicles and optimising delivery routes to lower carbon emissions effectively. We are also investing in electric-powered warehouses to further reduce our environmental footprint.

To promote responsible packaging, we use sustainable and recyclable materials and encourage our sellers to do the same. We run campaigns that highlight eco-friendly packaging options and implement educational programs on sustainability and the circular economy for our employees and customers.

In our offices, we engage in various environmentally conscious activities, including workshops and online resources, to foster responsible consumption. Additionally, we are involved in carbon offset projects, supporting reforestation and biodiversity conservation initiatives throughout Latin America to help neutralise our carbon footprint.

In summary, Mercado Libre is committed to building a sustainable future by actively working to minimise our environmental impact and promote responsible practices in e-commerce.

Why are in-house lawyers well-placed to drive change in their organisations?

As in-house lawyers, we are uniquely positioned to drive meaningful change within our organisations for several reasons. Our comprehensive understanding of the organisation’s operations, culture, and strategic goals enables us to identify both legal risks and opportunities, making us integral to decision-making processes.

By collaborating closely with various departments—such as finance, marketing, human resources, and operations—we gain a holistic view of challenges, allowing us to provide valuable insights and propose solutions that align seamlessly with our organisational objectives. Our expertise in risk management is essential for navigating regulatory changes and compliance requirements, which helps the organisation adapt and make informed decisions.

In our roles, we often participate in strategic planning and project management, taking a proactive approach to identifying potential legal hurdles and facilitating the smooth implementation of new initiatives. As trusted advisors, we advocate for change by promoting practices that ensure legal compliance and uphold ethical standards, influencing policies that foster a culture of integrity and accountability.

Furthermore, we play a critical role in enabling innovation by ensuring that new products, services, or business models are compliant with legal guidelines, thereby reducing potential barriers to progress. We also assume leadership roles, guiding and mentoring peers in regulatory matters and best practices, which can drive cultural shifts toward collaboration, transparency, and ethical practices.

Ultimately, our combination of legal expertise and deep understanding of the business allows us to influence positive change, ensuring that the organisation not only adheres to legal requirements but also thrives in a complex and evolving environment.

It can be challenging to measure a company’s track record in environmentally friendly behaviour. What, in your opinion, has mostly been missed in discussions about how green a company is?

Discussions around a company’s “greenness” often overlook the integration of sustainability into its overall strategy, including supply chain practices and community impact. Additionally, the social implications, such as equity and employee wellbeing, are frequently missed. A tendency to prioritise short-term gains over long-term commitments can undermine genuine sustainability efforts. Moreover, innovation and employee engagement are crucial for success. To measure a company’s environmental performance accurately, it’s essential to consider a broader range of factors, including holistic strategies and robust accountability metrics.