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
Scoping: Uptake of Best Practices for Environmentally Sound Management of Spent Lead-Acid Batteries
2024 Active Sustainable Living and Economies
Featured Publication
City Park Project
Factual Record Regarding Submission SEM-19-002
November 30, 2025 76 pages Enforcement
On 16 April 2019, the organization Acción Colectiva Socioambiental, A.C. (hereafter the “Submitter”) filed a submission with the Secretariat, in accordance with the provisions of NAAEC Article 14(1). The Submitter asserts that Mexico is failing to effectively enforce its environmental law in relation to the City Park Project, in the City of León, Guanajuato, Mexico. At the time this submission was filed, the City Park Project was under construction.
The Submitter asserts that Mexico is failing to effectively enforce provisions of General Act on Ecological Balance and Environmental Protection (Ley General del Equilibrio Ecológico y la Protección al Ambiente—LGEEPA); the LGEEPA Regulations on Environmental Impact Assessment (Reglamento de la LGEEPA en Materia de Evaluación de Impacto Ambiental—REIA); the General Wildlife Act (Ley General de Vida Silvestre—LGVS); the Internal Regulations of the Ministry of the Environment and Natural Resources (Reglamento Interior de la Secretaría de Medio Ambiente y Recursos Naturales—RI-Semarnat); the Environmental Protection and Preservation Act of the State of Guanajuato (Ley para la Protección y Preservación del Ambiente del estado de Guanajuato—LPPAEG); the LPPAEG Regulations on Environmental Impact Assessment (Reglamento de la LPPAEG en Materia de Evaluación del Impacto Ambiental—REIA-Guanajuato); the Environmental Management Bylaw of the City of León, Guanajuato (Reglamento para la Gestión Ambiental del Municipio de León, Guanajuato—RGA-León or the “Municipal Bylaw”); and Official Mexican Standard NOM-059-Semarnat-2010, Environmental protection—Native flora and fauna species of Mexico-Risk categories and specifications for species inclusion, exclusion
or amendments—List of species at risk (NOM-059).
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.