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.
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.
The Council is the CEC’s governing body and comprises cabinet-level representatives from Canada, Mexico and the United States
The Secretariat provides technical, administrative and operational support to the Council
The Joint Public Advisory Committee is comprised of 3 citizens from Canada, Mexico and the United States and advises the Council
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.
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
Innovative and Effective Solutions
Diverse and Inclusive Stakeholder Engagement and Public Participation
These rules apply to the Council of the Commission for Environmental Cooperation
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
