In the Spotlight
Our Impact
Explore how the CEC’s work over the years has delivered tangible environmental and social outcomes across North America — from scientific studies that guided environmental standards, regulations and policies in Canada, Mexico and the United-States, to trinational conservation strategies, community grants and geospatial mapping projects. Whether you’re a policymaker, conservation expert, researcher or simply interested in North American environmental cooperation, this page offers a comprehensive overview of not only what the CEC has achieved — but how and why those efforts have unfolded.
Topics
Climate Change
Supporting emissions reduction and helping communities adapt to extreme weather events
Environmental Justice
The pursuit of environmental justice (EJ) aims to address historical inequities, marginalization and discrimination in how environmental benefits and burdens are enjoyed or suffered by certain communities.
Ecosystems
Working with communities to conserve and restore North America's terrestrial and marine ecosystems and priority species
Enforcement
Supporting enforcement and compliance with domestic environmental law and with multilateral environmental agreements
Sustainable Living and Economies
Advancing the sustainability of our economic activities and life choices by identifying and fostering alternatives that effectively integrate the environmental, social and economic dimensions for a just and resilient North America. Our work is organized around four main areas:
Pollutants
Promoting clean air, water and land through prevention, reductions, and sound management of pollutant releases, toxic chemicals and hazardous waste
Youth Engagement
Over the years, the CEC has been committed to youth engagement and the efforts supported have provided youth with opportunities to raise awareness, provide tangible, sustainable, and innovative solutions for environmental issues in their communities, and influence CEC’s strategies, projects, and initiatives.
Indigenous Affairs
The Commission for Environmental Cooperation (CEC) recognizes the essential role that Indigenous Peoples and local communities play in environmental stewardship across Turtle Island, Madre Tierra, also known as North America.
Private Sector Engagement
The private sector plays a critical role in driving economic prosperity, innovation and sustainable development.
Featured Project
Using the World Cup and Large-Scale Events to Raise Awareness About the Importance of Reducing Food Waste
2025 Active Sustainable Living and Economies
Featured Publication
Long-term Impact Assessment of the Sound Management of Hazardous Waste Work (1996–2014)
May 5, 2025 2 pages Pollutants
CEC’s work on hazardous waste management spanned 18 years and included the following initiatives:
- Training and consolidating information-sharing among customs agencies regarding the illegal trade in environmentally regulated hazardous waste materials;
- Creating a series of comprehensive documents detailing the laws, regulations, trade patterns and enforcement experiences applicable to particular sectors;
- Developing technical guidelines and compiling best practices for the environmentally sound management of selected end-of-life vehicle batteries, including spent lead-acid batteries (SLABs).
In 2018, the CEC commissioned a report to assess the long-term impact of the CEC’s hazardous waste management projects implemented between 1996 and 2014. The assessment concluded
that these projects yielded several outcomes
The first series of projects on hazardous waste management were carried out as part of the environmental law enforcement work of the CEC between 1996 and 2009, and were designed to expedite the movement of legal materials across borders. They also included efforts to improve enforcement capacity to counter the illegal shipment of hazardous waste and materials, ozone-depleting substances, protected species and wildlife, or other illegal materials that could threaten human health or the environment in the territories of the NAFTA Parties.
What We Do
We conduct research, provide tools and training, and provide a unique space for decision-makers and the public to engage on environmental policy issues affecting the North American region.