CEC’s Work on Migratory Bird Conservation (2015–2018)
Between 2015 and 2019, the Commission for Environmental Cooperation (CEC) implemented two projects under its strategic pillar of Sustainable communities and Ecosystems, included in CEC Strategic Plan 2015–2020 (CEC 2015). The project Arctic Migratory Bird Initiative (AMBI): The Americas’ Flyway Action Plan (2015–2016) (CEC 2015a, 2016 and 2017) was developed in response to the need […]
Monitoring Efficacy: Proposed Methodology and Indicators
Flood-risk management is a major concern for coastal communities, particularly when considering sea-level rise caused by climate change. Nature-based solutions (NBS) have the potential to meet many flood-risk management objectives while also providing social, environmental, and economic co-benefits. This series of guidance documents was designed to support the uptake of NBS in coastal communities across […]
Retrofitting Existing Infrastructure
Flood-risk management is a major concern for coastal communities, particularly when considering sea-level rise caused by climate change. Nature-based solutions (NBS) have the potential to meet many flood-risk management objectives while also providing social, environmental, and economic co-benefits. This series of guidance documents was designed to support the uptake of NBS in coastal communities across […]
Co-Benefits
Flood-risk management is a major concern for coastal communities, particularly when considering sea-level rise caused by climate change. Nature-based solutions (NBS) have the potential to meet many flood-risk management objectives while also providing social, environmental, and economic co-benefits. This series of guidance documents was designed to support the uptake of NBS in coastal communities across […]
Monitoring Efficacy
Flood-risk management is a major concern for coastal communities, particularly when considering sea-level rise caused by climate change. Nature-based solutions (NBS) have the potential to meet many flood-risk management objectives while also providing social, environmental, and economic co-benefits. This series of guidance documents was designed to support the uptake of NBS in coastal communities across […]
NALCMS — The North American Land Change Monitoring System
Initiatives generating land cover information from geospatial data exist at various levels, from national to global. However, depending on user needs, one initiative might be more useful than another. What about regional or continental initiatives? They are less frequent because they often require direct cooperation between different national initiatives, and this involves long-term coordination and […]
CEC’s Work on Stimulating Uptake of ISO 50001 Energy Efficiency Standard (2015–2018)
Between 2015 and 2018, the Commission for Environmental Cooperation (CEC) implemented two projects aimed to “position ISO 50001 and the Superior Energy Performance (SEP) program as key mechanisms to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, improve energy management, increase energy efficiency, reduce energy costs, and improve competitiveness in select North American industrial sectors” [CEC 2023]. Designed through a CEC-industry partnership cost-sharing strategy, the first project [Accelerating Adoption of ISO 50001 and Superior Energy Performance Program Certification in North America (2015–2016)]—was launched with a budget of C$300,000. The project focused on building capacity in three directions: establishing common requirements for Certified Practitioners in Energy Management Systems (CP EnMS), piloting an end-user cohort-training model, and developing training materials and tools.
Climate Adaptation Toolkit Training Module
This document guides MPA practitioners through a basic climate adaptation planning process using the Climate Adaptation Toolkit. The Climate Adaptation Toolkit contains tools to help MPA practitioners evaluate the vulnerability of their sites to climate change and identify appropriate adaptation strategies. The Training Module provides a framework and training exercises to support the successful use […]
CEC Policy Brief on Flood Costing
The Commission for Environmental Cooperation (CEC) recognized information gaps in estimating economic impacts of floods in Canada, Mexico, and the United States. It initiated in 2019 a collaborative research project, led by experts from the three countries. During 2019-2021, this project entitled “Costing Floods and Other Extreme Events” has brought together governmental agencies, academic institutions, […]
Developing a Comprehensive Methodology for Evaluating Economic Impacts of Floods in Canada, Mexico and the United States
Assessing the true economic costs of floods is central to our ability to address their impacts, allocate adequate resources for monitoring and preparedness, assess their changes in frequency and severity over time, and aid community resilience to them. Considerable variability exists in Canada, Mexico, and the United States in the choice and implementation of methods used at national and sub-national levels for estimating direct damages and indirect losses caused by floods.
Guide to Drought Indices and Indicators Used in North America
The objective of this study was to improve the ability of regional and local decision-makers and communities to monitor and prepare for drought conditions through the development of a guide to locally relevant indicators for North American climate regions. Data were collected through an online survey that asked a series of questions on respondents’ experiences with drought in their geographical areas. A key series of questions queried the effectiveness of different drought indicators. Responses were analyzed to determine—according to the survey respondents—the most effective drought indicators for short-term and long-term drought in specific North American Köppen climate zones. Online webinars in English and Spanish were held to contribute additional information.
Long-term Impact Assessment of CEC’s Work on Forest Carbon (2013–2017)
The forests of North America play an important role in the global greenhouse gas balance by removing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, storing it as “forest carbon” in forest ecosystems. Between 2013 and 2017, the Commission for Environmental Cooperation (CEC) invested C$770,000 in two 2-year projects focused on generating scientific information to improve our understanding […]