Mission
In the context of environmental, economic and social linkages between Canada, Mexico and the United States, the CEC facilitates effective cooperation and public participation to conserve, protect and enhance the North American environment in support of sustainable development for the benefit of present and future generations.
Funding
The CEC receives funding of the Government of Canada through Environment and Climate Change Canada, the Government of the United States of Mexico through the Secretaría de Medio Ambiente y Recursos Naturales, and the Government of the United States of America through the Environmental Protection Agency.
Structure
Council
The Council is the CEC’s governing body and comprises cabinet-level representatives from Canada, Mexico and the United States
Secretariat
The Secretariat provides technical, administrative and operational support to the Council
JPAC
The Joint Public Advisory Committee is comprised of 3 citizens from Canada, Mexico and the United States and advises the Council
Strategic Plan 2021-2025
Our 2021-2025 Strategic Plan marks a renewed commitment by Canada, Mexico and the United States to work together on pressing regional and global issues related to trade and the environment within the framework of a new trilateral free trade agreement—and a new Environmental Cooperation Agreement (ECA). The Strategic Plan represents trilateral guidance on effective trilateral cooperation on environmental issues of common interest and concern.
Strategic Pillars
Clean Air, Water, and Land
Preventing and Reducing Pollution in the Marine Environment
Circular Economy and Sustainable Materials Management
Shared Ecosystems and Species
Resilient Economies and Communities
Effective Enforcement of Environmental Laws
Cross-cutting approaches
Innovative and Effective Solutions
Diverse and Inclusive Stakeholder Engagement and Public Participation
Important Documents
Staff Rules
These Rules set out terms and conditions of employment, working relationships and rights and responsibilities of the employees in the service of the Commission
Quality Assurance Requirements
Quality assurance standards applied to all our information products
Terms of Operation – Working Groups
These Terms of Operation apply to all groups established under Article 9(5)(a).
History
In 1994, Canada, Mexico and the United States began collaborating in protecting North America’s environment through the North American Agreement on Environmental Cooperation (NAAEC). The NAAEC came into force at the same time as the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) and marked a commitment that liberalization of trade and economic growth in North America would be accompanied by effective cooperation and continuous improvement in the environmental protection provided by each country.
Accordingly, the NAAEC established an intergovernmental organization, the Commission for Environmental Cooperation, to support cooperation among the NAFTA partners to address environmental issues of continental concern, including the environmental challenges and opportunities presented by continent-wide free trade.
As of 2020, the CEC operates in accordance with the Environmental Cooperation Agreement, which entered into force at the same time as the CUSMA/T-MEC/USMCA.
ECA