In the Spotlight
Join the CEC in Celebrating Youth Leadership Across North America on International Youth Day
Happy International Youth Day! Today, we celebrate the energy, innovation and dedication of young leaders who are driving positive change across North America. Youth play a pivotal role in advancing sustainability by embracing a holistic approach. Their engagement accelerates knowledge-sharing and awareness, supports intergenerational dialogue, spurs action to tackle environmental challenges and fosters skill development for a sustainable future.
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
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.
Featured Project
Tracking Pollutant Releases and Transfers in North America
Initiative Active Pollutants
Featured Publication
Milestone Study on Plastics Waste Management in the US and Canada — Executive Summary
Transforming Recycling and Solid Waste Management in the US and Canada
October 18, 2019 23 pages Sustainable Living and Economies
The CEC has commissioned this series of three milestone studies as part of its “Transforming Recycling and Solid Waste Management in North America” project, with the goal of supporting Canada, Mexico and the United States in their efforts to promote circular economy and sustainable materials management approaches to encourage eco-design and increase product and material reuse, recovery and recycling rates.
These studies aim for better understanding of the opportunities in the recycling sector and secondary material markets for plastics, paper and bioplastics waste. These studies focus on Canada and the United States, and a separate set of studies focused on Mexico will be available in the coming months. Building on the results of these milestone studies and on input by key actors, a joint pilot project is currently underway in Canada and the United States with the purpose of assessing the feasibility of innovative technologies, policies and practices that can be adopted at scale across North America.
The complete report is available in English only, but you can consult the executive summary in English, Spanish, and French.
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.