In the Spotlight
CEC Publishes Factual Record on the Effective Enforcement of Environmental Law Regarding the North Atlantic Right Whale Submission
Tiohtià:ke (Montreal), 6 January 2026—On 19 December 2025, the Secretariat of the Commission for Environmental Cooperation (CEC) published the factual record regarding submission SEM-21-003 (North Atlantic right whale) filed by Oceana (“Submitter”), who asserted that the United States is failing to effectively enforce its environmental laws to protect the North Atlantic right whale (Eubalaena glacialis) from collisions with ships, known as “vessel strikes,” and from entanglement in commercial fishing gear.
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
Strengthening Evidence-Based Collaborative Monarch Butterfly Conservation
2025 Active Ecosystems
Featured Publication
Monitoring Change in North America’s Central Grasslands
A Synthesis of Grassland Inventories from Canada, Mexico and the United States
March 14, 2025 52 pages Ecosystems
Grassland loss is one of the most pressing conservation challenges in North America, yet the ability to track this change is complicated by the diversity of existing monitoring systems. This report reviews 33 grassland inventories across Canada, Mexico and the United States, drawing on a literature review and expert workshops held in 2023 and 2024. It highlights differences in definitions, methodologies and accuracy assessments, as well as opportunities to advance consistency through data sharing, collaborative networks and the integration of new technologies and Traditional Ecological Knowledge.
This report is intended for policymakers, researchers, land managers and conservation practitioners. It provides a trinational overview of current monitoring efforts, identifies challenges and best practices and offers recommendations for building a community of practice to improve standardization and deliver a clear, science-based message on grassland loss and conservation needs across North America.
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.