José Enrique is a lawyer specialized in environmental, administrative, social and indigenous law and ESG, with 10 years of experience in consulting and advising companies from a range of sectors in relation to environmental, social and regulatory issues, proposing strategies and structures focused on regulation and compliance with environmental and social provisions, as well as being recognized as a pioneer in climate litigation in Mexico, with extensive experience in administrative litigation, constitutional defense of human rights and arbitration trials. He advises various Mexican and international authorities on the drafting of laws and regulations in environmental and indigenous matters.
As a specialist, he has advised national and foreign investors in relation to environmental, real estate, social and indigenous law associated with the development and financing of projects, including negotiations with federal, state and municipal authorities, environmental impact assessments (EIA), environmental audits, social impact assessments (SIA), human rights impact assessments (HRIA), anthropological expertise, free, prior and informed consultation processes (FPIC), cultural appropriation, Equator Principles and IFC Performance Standards, health law, climate change, soil contamination and remediation, circular economy and agrarian law.
Experience
José Enrique Cruz is a senior associate in the Planning, Zoning and Environment practice. He has led key projects in the environmental and renewable project development sector, with a particular focus on compliance with national and international regulations.
He has extensive experience in developing environmental and social strategies for large-scale projects, such as the first green ammonia generation facility in Mexico, where he led the process to identify the risks and obligations of the project.
He provides advice on environmental and human rights issues, and has notable experience in the defense of clients in complex administrative proceedings, such as the first penalty for misappropriation of the indigenous cultural heritage of Mexico. José Enrique has also participated in the defense of mining concessions before the Mexican Supreme Court, in one of the most important cases in mining law and indigenous rights.
He has provided advice on innovative projects such as the first large-scale blue carbon case in Mexico, focused on the protection and regeneration of mangroves in Yucatan, where he designed the project and headed the placement of carbon credits in the voluntary market.
His experience includes advising real estate developers in regulatory processes, such as the remediation of contaminated land and the obtaining of environmental permits in a context of regulatory restrictions. He has also participated in a number of environmental and regulatory due diligence processes in key sectors such as fish farming and the tuna industry.
José Enrique speaks Spanish and English, and has experience in collaborating with international teams to develop comprehensive solutions in environmental and energy law.
Academic background
- Degree in Law – Universidad La Salle, Mexico City - Mexico (2014)
Memberships
- Member of the Environmental Committee of the International Chamber of Commerce
Distinctions
- Best Lawyers
Publications
- “Impacto del Derecho Ambiental en la Industria de la Moda” (Impact of Environmental Law on the Fashion Industry). ANADE, 2023
- “Litigio Climático en México” (Climate Litigation in Mexico). The Legal Industries Reviews, 2022