CiteScore

0.5

Indexada na
SCOPUS

QUALIS

B2

2021-2024
quadriênio

Language

Brazilian Journal of Enviromnent

e-ISSN: 2595-4431

Meio Ambiente e Ciências Sociais | Vol. 14 Issue 2 (2026)

A preventive model for greenwashing as an environmental crime in industry and the private sector

Cristina Ancer Nevárez José Luis Carpio Domínguez Karla Villareal Sotelo

Author information

Cristina Ancer Nevárez

ORCID not informed.
  • cancern@uanl.edu.mx
  • Facultad de Contaduría Pública y Administración, Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León, México

  • Licenciada en Mercadotecnia por la Universidad Regiomontana (UR), Maestra en Administración de Empresas con orientación en Mercadotecnia por el CEDEEM (FACPYA, UANL) y Doctora en Ciencias Sociales con orientación en Desarrollo Sustentable por el Instituto de Investigaciones Sociales (IINSO) de la Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León (UANL). Su trayectoria académica e investigadora se ha enfocado en el análisis de la seguridad pública y ciudadana, entendidas como dimensiones clave que pueden favorecer o limitar el desarrollo social y urbano en México. Desde una perspectiva interdisciplinaria, ha abordado este fenómeno a partir de los enfoques de gobernanza, desarrollo sustentable y responsabilidad social, generando estudios que articulan la participación ciudadana, el fortalecimiento institucional y la cohesión comunitaria. Los resultados de esta línea de trabajo han sido publicados en artículos científicos y capítulos de libro, siendo difundidos en foros académicos y espacios de divulgación. Docente universitario en el clúster de negocios de la Universidad Regiomontana y docente investigadora en la Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León, división FACPYA.

Author information

José Luis Carpio Domínguez

https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8458-5189
  • jlcarpiodominguez@outlook.com
  • Criminología. Facultad de Derecho "Abogado Ponciano Leija", Universidad Autónoma de San Luis Potosí
  • Biography not informed.

Author information

Karla Villareal Sotelo

https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8668-3257

Published in March 11, 2026

Abstract

Greenwashing has become a recurring practice in industry and private enterprise, using sustainability rhetoric that does not always correspond to real transformations aimed at environmental and animal protection. From the perspective of Green Criminology, these practices can indirectly contribute to the persistence of environmental harms and the evasion of corporate responsibility. The objective of this study is to propose a preventive model for environmental and animal crime applicable to industry and private initiative, aimed at reducing the likelihood of greenwashing practices before environmental harms occurs. The research adopts a qualitative approach with a theoretical-documentary design of an analytical-propositional nature, based on the systematic analysis of scientific literature, regulatory frameworks, international standards, environmental certifications and institutional documentation, as well as the review of documented cases of corporate malpractice. Based on this analysis, risk patterns and analytical categories are identified that allow for the structuring of a preventive model focused on sustainable development, green governance, corporate social responsibility, and the verification of sustainable practices. The results show that the prevention of greenwashing in industry and private initiative requires comprehensive mechanisms that articulate regulation, organisational control, and transparency. It is concluded that the proposed model is a useful conceptual tool for strengthening the prevention of environmental and animal harms, promoting business practices consistent with sustainable development and the objectives of the 2030 Agenda.

License

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

Copyright (c) 2026 Cristina Ancer Nevárez, José Luis Carpio Domínguez, Karla Villareal Sotelo