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
Strengthening Evidence-Based Collaborative Monarch Butterfly Conservation
2025 Active Ecosystems
Featured Publication
Vaquita Porpoise
Factual Record Regarding Submission SEM-21-002
March 14, 2025 158 pages Enforcement
This factual record addresses the assertions contained in submission SEM-21-001 (Vaquita Porpoise) concerning alleged failures to effectively enforce the General Wildlife Act (Ley General de Vida Silvestre—LGVS) and its regulation (the “LGVS Regulation”), and various administrative orders aimed at protecting the vaquita (Phocoena sinus), a species that is critically endangered due to the direct impacts of illegally fishing totoaba (Totoaba macdonaldi) in Mexico’s Upper Gulf of California (UGC). In addition to a summary of the response from the Government of Mexico (“the Party”), the factual record presents the information obtained by the Secretariat in the course of its preparation, including information about measures taken by the Party to address the issues raised in the submission.
LGVS Article 55 provides that any import, export, or re-export of specimens, parts, and derivatives of wild species included in the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) must adhere to CITES, the LGVS, and any provisions flowing from them. Article 56 of the LGVS Regulation provides that any import, export, or re-export of biological material from species included in CITES must also adhere to the Convention. Both the vaquita and the totoaba are listed in CITES Appendix I, meaning that international trade in specimens of both species should be subject to particularly strict regulation. The “1975 Totoaba Fishing Ban” was promulgated in view of the declining population of totoaba and the special vulnerability of the species to commercial and sport fishing, given its limited area of distribution. The “2020 Gillnets Order” permanently bans all gillnets within a circumscribed area comprising the Zero Tolerance Area (Z0) and the Vaquita Refuge Area (VRA).
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.