In the Spotlight
Tiohtià:ke (Montreal), 23 July 2026—The International Monarch Monitoring Blitz is just around the corner! From 31 July to 9 August 2026, we invite everyone across North America to head outside and search for monarch butterflies and milkweed plants.
Supporting emissions reduction and helping communities adapt to extreme weather events
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.
Working with communities to conserve and restore North America's terrestrial and marine ecosystems and priority species
Supporting enforcement and compliance with domestic environmental law and with multilateral environmental agreements
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:
Promoting clean air, water and land through prevention, reductions, and sound management of pollutant releases, toxic chemicals and hazardous waste
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.
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.
The private sector plays a critical role in driving economic prosperity, innovation and sustainable development.
Featured Project
Illegal logging, and the trade in illegally logged timber, is a domestic, regional, and global issue. It has negative economic, environmental, and social impacts, including—but not limited to—forest degradation, loss of traditional homelands for Indigenous and tribal communities, and the creation of unfair market conditions that disadvantage legal and sustainable...
Featured Publication
Many remote and Indigenous communities across North America face unique challenges because of their geographic isolation, harsh climates and limited infrastructure. As a result, they often depend on costly and environmentally damaging diesel generators for electricity. This report analyzes nine case studies from Canada, Mexico and the United States that highlight successful renewable energy transition projects in remote communities, many of them community-led.
Based on site visits, extensive interviews and a structured collaboration with community members, the report focuses on the themes of self-determination, economic empowerment, environmental sustainability and technological innovation. The diverse range of renewable energy projects includes hydroelectric systems, wind turbines, solar microgrids and biomass heating—projects that demonstrate how each community leveraged local resources and cultural strengths.
The findings provide valuable guidance for policymakers, energy practitioners and funders aiming to support sustainable and resilient energy transitions in remote and Indigenous communities.
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.
