Page - 23 - in options, Volume winter 2014/2015

americas 23winter 2014/2015 + optionswww.iiasa.ac.at regional focus In a new paper published by London-based charity HelpAge International, IIASA researcher Larry Willmore describes the remarkable rise of social pensions in Mexico, and suggests reforms to eliminate elder poverty and attain universal pension coverage. Pension coverage from 2000 to 2013 rose from 22% to 88% of older Mexicans thanks to the introduction of social pensions, which require no employment record or contributions to qualify. Nonetheless, nearly one million older Mexicans still have no pension. The first social pension began in 2001 when Mexico City (Federal District) Governor Obrador introduced a universal pension for residents over 70. In 2007 Congress, despite opposition from the conservative Partido Acción Nacional (PAN), launched a universal rural over-70s pension scheme with monthly benefits of MX$500 (US$45). In January 2012 in a surprise move, the PAN president of the day (Felipe Calderón), extended the federal scheme to urban Mexico, but excluded older persons with earnings-related pensions. Notably, only the most and least developed federal entities, Federal District and Chiapas, respectively, have introduced universal pensions. When Enrique Peña Nieto took presidential office in January 2013, he extended social pensions to the 65–69 age group, while continuing to exclude those with earnings-related pensions. Willmore stresses the need to achieve universal coverage as soon as possible and to double minimum pension benefits in order to eliminate extreme poverty. He recommends the social pension also be extended to those with earnings-related pensions, restoring the ideal of a universal pension. KP Further info Willmore L (2014). Towards Universal Pension Coverage in Mexico. Briefing No. 13 (Pension Watch Series), HelpAge International, London, UK [www.helpage.org/download/537ccce61a7b6]. Larry Willmore willmore@iiasa.ac.at To attract and retain customers, real-estate developers of business parks around the world need to pursue integrated management plans that make environmental responsibility and sustainability a priority in building design, construction, and operation. That is the message of a paper co-authored by IIASA researchers which discusses the development of a new expanded business operations model (EBOM). EBOM, which supersedes the typical business operations “flow diagram” model, indicates cycling behavior that synergistically enhances each of four chosen categories—environment, facilities, business synergism, and green image. The authors identified and reviewed measures taken in these four areas by four independently operated eco-smart communities: the Beijing Development Area in China and three in the United States (California, Maryland, and Texas). These case studies were used to build the EBOM model framework, with scientists analyzing the cascade of impacts resulting from efforts to enhance the four categories. For instance, for the Texas case study, authors reviewed environmentally friendly strategies and general policies toward green design at the Hall Office Park, developed by Hall Financial Group, a member of the US Green Building Council since 2007. The authors note the availability of affordable green alternatives to construction materials, adding that improved efficiencies can lower operating costs in the long run. Likewise, the potential for increased business from a positive green image is an increasingly important economic driver, and a positive EBOM feedback. The model will help companies set achievable goals that mark reasonable progress in their environmental stewardship policies. KP Further info Dean CA, Fath BD, Chen B (2014). Indicators for an expanded business operations model  to evaluate eco-smart corporate communities. Ecological Indicators 47:137–148 [doi:10.1016/j.ecolind.2014.07.010]. Brian Fath fath@iiasa.ac.at Sustainability means business success Toward universal pensions in Mexico