CEC Council Sessions

North American flags

The Council of the Commission for Environmental Cooperation (CEC) meets at least once a year to set the CEC’s direction, budget, and activities to be implemented through the Operational Plan. The chairmanship of the Council, and location of the annual Council Session, rotate annually  among Canada, Mexico and the United States. 

Explore recent Council Sessions and results below.

2024: CEC's 31st Annual Council Session

Eight CEC Council Members standing in front of colorful artwork smiling at camera.
CEC Council Members and Alternate Representatives at the 2024 Council Session Open Ceremony. From left, EPA’s OITA Assistant Administrator Jane Nishida, CEC Executive Director Jorge Daniel Taillant, Mexico’s Under Secretary for ENR Iván Rico López, EPA’s Administrator Michael S. Regan, Canada’s Assistant Deputy Minister for ECC Sandra McCardell, EPA’s Deputy Administrator Janet McCabe, Mexico’s Head of the Coordinating Unit of International Affairs for ENR Miguel Ángel Zerón, and Canada’s Director General for ECC Jeanne-Marie Huddleston.

EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan and Deputy Administrator Janet McCabe hosted and chaired the 31st annual Council Session of the North American Commission for Environmental Cooperation (CEC) on June 24-26 in Wilmington, North Carolina. Canadian Assistant Deputy Minister for the Environment and Climate Change (ECC) Sandra McCardell and Mexican Under Secretary of Environment and Natural Resources (ENR) Iván Rico López joined the session.

This year’s theme was “Strengthening Environmental Justice Through Community Empowerment.” Key discussions focused on the importance of collaborative strategies to advance environmental justice, emphasizing the importance of community involvement in decision-making processes. The program included four public sessions where participants shared best practices and innovative approaches to empower communities disproportionally affected by environmental issues.  

In closing the event, the three countries solidified their commitment to trilateral cooperation and announced new initiatives; these include:

  1. Launching a 4th cycle for the Environmental Justice and Climate Resilience grant program (EJ4Climate); which will make available $1.5 million USD for underserved and vulnerable communities, including Indigenous communities, in Canada, Mexico, and the United States, to address climate-related impacts. 
  2. Launching a new North American Environmental Justice Action Center (NAEJAC), a resource platform that will bring together our countries to exchange knowledge and best practices for addressing inequities in historically marginalized and disadvantaged communities.  
  3. Announcing the winners of the first Generation of Environmental Leaders Program (GELP) cohort, which makes available C$15,000 in seed funding to youth entrepreneurs aiming to amplify the impact of their innovative solutions in local communities and includes a year-long mentorship. 
  4. Introducing four new large-scale initiatives: support for monarch butterfly science; build data exchange system for hazardous waste transfers; use large-scale public events to catalyze collective shifts towards food waste reduction; and share best practices for environmental sound management of used lead acid. 

Learn more about the 2024 Council Session:

2023: CEC's 30th Annual Council Session

Canada’s Minister of Environment and Climate Change Steven Guilbeault (center), Mexico’s Under Secretary for Environmental Planning and Policy Iván Rico López (left) and EPA Deputy Administrator Janet McCabe (right) at the 2023 CEC Council Session in Victoria, British Colombia.
Canada’s Minister of Environment and Climate Change Steven Guilbeault (center), Mexico’s Under Secretary for Environmental Planning and Policy Iván Rico López (left) and EPA Deputy Administrator Janet McCabe (right) at the 2023 CEC Council Session in Victoria, British Colombia.

The 30th annual Regular Session of the Council of the Commission for Environmental Cooperation (CEC) of North America took place on June 28-29, 2023 in Victoria, British Columbia, Canada, with the theme of Indigenous and Urban Approaches for Climate Adaptation. . Canada’s Minister of Environment and Climate Change Steven Guilbeault  hosted  EPA Deputy Administrator Janet McCabe and Mexico’s Undersecretary of Environmental Policy and Planning Iván Rico López.

The Council Session included two open public forums, which provided an invaluable space for sharing information with many of our partners and other stakeholders, along with an opportunity for questions, comments, and suggestions from the public on the CEC’s trilateral work. The CEC’s Joint Public Advisory Committee hosted a public forum focused on the Session’s theme, offering public participants representing a diversity of stakeholders and Indigenous Peoples from the three countries the opportunity to engage in a dialogue on critical environmental issues, and share their perspectives within the framework of the Council Session. The Session also included a Panel on Nature-Based Solutions, Environmental Justice and Climate Adaptation in Urban Environments.

During the event, the Council announced new and continuing initiatives, including:

  • Announced C$500,000 to launch a new Council-led initiative, “Reaching Horizon 2030: An Environmental Outlook for North American Cooperation,” that will detail how to prepare for the emerging environmental and climate challenges North America is expected to face from the present until 2030 and beyond.
  • Announced C$500,000 to launch a cities initiative focused on sharing approaches and best practices to adaptation planning and implementation, as well as visiting concrete, on-the-ground projects that respond to the needs of urban citizens.
  • Announced US$2 million for the third cycle of the EJ4Climate grant program that will focus on projects to build resilience to climate change. The EJ4Climate grant program assists underserved and vulnerable communities and Indigenous communities in Canada, Mexico and the United States in preparing for climate-related impacts.
  • Contributed C$1,750,000 to fund a new cycle of the North American Partnership for Environmental Community Action (NAPECA) grant program to engage and empower Indigenous communities in climate adaption. Since 2011, NAPECA has been supporting the delivery of projects led by non-profit and non-governmental organizations that build partnerships and drive action at the local level.
  • Endorsed two new projects focusing on shared environmental priority areas, with Fast Mitigation Strategies for Short-Lived Climate Pollutants, with a particular focus on addressing methane, and Food Loss and Waste.
  • Engaged with the winners of the 2023 CEC Youth Innovation Challenge from Canada, Mexico and the United States on their innovative and tangible water solutions for sustainable development. We were impressed with their skill, dedication, and vision and we look forward to the implementation of their solutions.
  • Reviewed the progress made under the ongoing CEC Operational Plan and the projects we endorsed last year.

Learn more about the 2023 Council Session:

2022: CEC's 29th Annual Council Session

Canada’s Minister of Environment and Climate Change Steven Guilbeault (left), Mexico’s Secretary of Environment and Natural Resources’ María Luisa Albores (center) and EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan (right) at the 2022 CEC Council Session in Mérida, Mexico.

The 29th annual Regular Session of the Council of the Commission for Environmental Cooperation (CEC) of North America took place on July 14–15, 2022 in Mérida, Mexico with the theme of Community-led environmental education for sustainable development. Mexico’s Secretary of Environment and Natural Resources’ María Luisa Albores hosted Canada’s Minister of Environment and Climate Change Steven Guilbeault and EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan.

The Council Session included several public events, including a session where the environment ministers and other expert environmental education panelists discussed the theme. The CEC’s Joint Public Advisory Committee hosted a public forum focused on Stories and Lessons Learned from North American Communities and Youth. An Intergenerational Roundtable addressed experiences related to environmental, social, and economic crises, such as the COVID-19 pandemic and the growing impact of climate change.

During the event, the Council announced new and continuing initiatives, including:

  • An additional US$2 million to launch a new cycle of the EJ4Climate grant program, with a focus on supporting environmental education to build resilience to climate change. 
  • A C$750,000 initiative to support enhanced uptake of circular economy approaches with sustainable production and consumption patterns in North America;
  • A large-scale and multi-year initiative to strengthen community resilience to climate change totaling C$1 million;
  • Contribution of C$300,000 to support an initiative to advance awareness of sustainable forestry and responsible consumption of wood products in the three countries, led by the Joint Public Advisory Committee (JPAC); and
  • The endorsement of a C$300,000 initiative to address threats to food security by increasing our understanding of traditional Indigenous practices and knowledge related to food systems, to be led by the Traditional Ecological Knowledge Expert Group (TEKEG);
  • The Council also announced the winners of the 2022 CEC Youth Innovation Challenge. These young winners presented an impressive array of innovative and tangible solutions to assist North American communities in their recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic.

Learn more about the 2022 Council Session:

2021: CEC's 28th Annual Council Session

screenshot of leaders at 2021 CEC Council Session
Top row L-R: EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan, Mexican Secretary of Environment and Natural Resources María Luisa Albores González, Canadian Assistant Deputy Minister for the Environment and Climate Change Catherine Stewart; Bottom Row R-L: CEC Executive Director Richard Morgan and JPAC Chair Pedro Moctezuma at the 28th annual Council Session of the North American Commission for Environmental Cooperation (CEC).

EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan hosted Mexican Secretary of Environment and Natural Resources María Luisa Albores González and Canadian Assistant Deputy Minister for the Environment and Climate Change Catherine Stewart for the 28th annual Council Session of the North American Commission for Environmental Cooperation (CEC).

This year’s Council Session focused on Climate Change and Environmental Justice Solutions, highlighting the importance of addressing climate impacts and protecting the health of our communities, including those vulnerable communities that are facing disproportionate impacts.

The program included a public session with a panel of experts and a questions and answers section on the Council theme. The meeting also featured a public meeting hosted by the CEC’s Joint Public Advisory Committee, “Leaving no one behind: working together for more equitable solutions to climate change impacts.”

Deliverables from the Council Session included:

  1.  Launching a new grant program, EJ4Climate, which will make $2 million USD available for underserved and vulnerable communities, including Indigenous communities, in Canada, Mexico, and the United States, to address climate-related impacts;
  2. Introducing three new large-scale initiatives: 1) working on mitigating ‘black carbon’ for the improvement of air quality and support for environmental justice in a local context; 2) addressing ‘ghost’ fishing gear in marine ecosystems; and 3) supporting environmental education;
  3. Supporting the creation of an additional initiative on Indigenous approaches to freshwater management in North America;  
  4. Announcing the winners of the 2021 Youth Innovation Challenge, which tasked young entrepreneurs to submit bold innovations for climate change and environmental justice solutions; and
  5. Announcing the upcoming call for proposals for the North American Partnership for Environmental Community Action (NAPECA) community grant program, supporting local and Indigenous communities in their efforts to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic.

Learn more about the 2021 Council Session:

2020: CEC's 27th Annual Council Session

screenshot of leaders participating in Council Session
Then-EPA Administrator Wheeler (top, center) represented the US at the 2020 virtual Council Session of the North American Commission for Environmental Cooperation.

The 27th annual Regular Session of the Council of the Commission for Environmental Cooperation (CEC) of North America took place virtually on June 26, 2020. The meeting was hosted by Canada’s Minister of Environment and Climate Change Jonathan Wilkinson, with participation by Mexico’s Secretary of Environment and Natural Resources’ Víctor Manuel Toledo and then-EPA Administrator Andrew Wheeler.

With a theme on Clean Technologies for Resilient Communities, the event included a public session that included a Questions and Answers Section with a variety of leading experts. The meeting also featured a public meeting hosted by the CEC’s Joint Public Advisory Committee that focused on the USMCA & the Environment:  A Renewed Commitment for North America.

During the event, the Council adopted the 2021-2025 CEC Strategic Plan, which establishes the CEC's strategic priorities for the coming five years. This plan was developed as a result of ongoing consultations with technical experts across our governments, the Joint Public Advisory Committee, the Traditional Ecological Knowledge Expert Group, the Secretariat, and the North American public. 

The Council also announced the winners of the fourth Youth Innovation Challenge , which focused on social entrepreneurship for environmental sustainability. 

Learn more about the 2020 Council Session:

2019: CEC's 26th Annual Council Session

At the Council Session, Canada’s Alternate Representative Isabelle Bérard, Mexico’s Alternate Representative Norma Munguía, and then-EPA Administrator Andrew Wheeler signed the Ministerial Statement.

The 26th annual Regular Session of the Council of the Commission for Environmental Cooperation (CEC) of North America, celebrating its 25th anniversary, took place on June 24–25, 2019 in Mexico City, Mexico.  With the theme of Circular Economy and Resource Efficiency, Mexico’s Secretary of Environment and Natural Resources’ Víctor Manuel Toledo hosted Canada’s Minister of Environment and Climate Change Catherine McKenna and then-EPA Administrator Andrew Wheeler.

The Council Session included a public session led by the environment ministers. The meeting also featured a public forum hosted by the CEC’s Joint Public Advisory Committee, focused on advancing Council initiatives on extreme events and building disaster-resilient communities in North America.

During the event, the Council launched the North American EcoInnovation Network to provide the necessary knowledge, resources, and tools to cultivate youth and community leadership in innovation, entrepreneurship, and sustainable development.The Council also announced the winners of the third Youth Innovation Challenge, promoting youth entrepreneurship and innovation for sustainable development.

Learn more about the 2019 Council Session:

2018: CEC's 25th Annual Council Session

CEC Council Alternate Representatives Isabelle Berard (Canada), Jane Nishida (United States), Enrique Lendo (Mexico) and experts and winners of the CEC Youth Innovation Challenge from Canada, Mexico and the United States.

The 25th annual Regular Session of the Council of the Commission for Environmental Cooperation (CEC) of North America took place June 26-27 in Oklahoma City and Norman, OK. The EPA Administrator hosted Canada and Mexico’s Council representatives, the Secretariat and the Joint Public Advisory Committee, state and local governments, the private sector and members of the public.

The theme of the meeting was “Innovation and Partnerships for Green Growth.” The session showcased partnerships among federal, state and local, indigenous, academic, youth and private sectors that foster innovation, entrepreneurship, and technological advances to support green growth and environmental protection.

The Council announced three new initiatives on innovation for green growth and preparedness and resilience to extreme events in North America:

  • North American Innovation Hub Network: bringing universities in the US, Canada, and Mexico together to develop and enhance Innovation Hubs that provide a resource for innovation and entrepreneurship for green growth.
  • North American Extreme Events Advisory Group: bringing experts together to identify and share capacities in interdisciplinary research, early warning, preparedness, response and resilience to extreme events, such as drought, floods, wildfires and extreme temperatures.
  • Mapping Extreme Events information on the CEC North American Environmental Atlas: enhancing the mapping of extreme events in North America by bringing experts together to share data and information in the CEC North American Environmental Atlas.

Learn more about the 2018 Council Session:

2017: CEC's 24th Annual Council Session

Alternate Representatives to the Council: Enrique Lendo (Mexico), Catherine Stewart (Canada), and Jane Nishida (United States), with facilitator, at the Public Session of the 2017 Council Session.

The 24th annual Regular Session of the Council of the Commission for Environmental Cooperation (CEC) of North America took place June 27-28, 2017. Catherine McKenna, Canada’s Minister for Environment and Climate Change, hosted the United States and Mexico’s Council representatives, the Secretariat and the Joint Public Advisory Committee, in Prince Edward Island, Canada.

The Council Session focused on Innovation to Accelerate Clean Growth. The Council approved the Operational Plan 2017-18, announced the winners or the North American Youth Innovation Challenge, and a new round of North American Program for Environmental Community Action (NAPECA).

2016: CEC's 23rd Annual Council Session

Rafael Pacchiano Alamán, Mexico’s Secretary of Environment and Natural Resources, then-U.S. EPA Administrator Gina McCarthy and Canada’s Environment and Climate Change Minister Catherine McKenna, in Mérida, Yucatán, at the 23rd annual Regular Session of the Council of the Commission for Environmental Cooperation (CEC) of North America.

The 23rd annual Regular Session of the Council of the Commission for Environmental Cooperation (CEC) of North America  took place September 8-9, 2016. Rafael Pacchiano Alamán, Mexico’s Secretary of Environment and Natural Resources, hosted then-U.S. EPA Administrator Gina McCarthy and Canada’s Environment and Climate Change Minister Catherine McKenna, in Mérida, Yucatán.  

The Council Session focused on Sustainable Communities and Ecosystems and on Youth and the Environment in North America. In particular, conversations focused on ecosystems, climate change, supporting sustainable communities, and the role of youth in the CEC. A ministerial statement (3 pp, 105 K, About PDF)was signed by all three ministers highlighting the importance of CEC work and NAPECA grants, and acknowledging the importance of traditional ecological knowledge and youth and the environment in North America. 

The meeting included a public town hall session featuring the three environment ministers, and moderated by CEC Joint Public Advisory Committee (JPAC) Chair Lindsay Brumwell. During the Town Hall, the Council answered questions about youth engagement from individuals present at the meeting, and online through social media. In addition, on September 8 the CEC’s Joint Public Advisory Committee (JPAC) hosted a public forum on biodiversity and climate change. 

The 24th Ministerial Council Session of the CEC will take place next year in Charlotte, Prince Edward Island, Canada, the birthplace of the Canadian Confederation, in celebration of Canada’s 150th Birthday. 

2015: CEC's 22nd Annual Council Session

Environmental Ministers of North America at the 22nd Annual Council Session of the North American Commission for Environmental Cooperation. L to R: Leona Aglukkaq, Canada's Minister for the Environment; then-Gina McCarthy, EPA Administrator; and Rodolfo Lacy Tamayo, Mexico's Secretary for Environment and Natural Resources.

On July 14th and 15th, then-EPA Administrator Gina McCarthy led the U.S. delegation to the 22nd Annual CEC Council Sessionof the North American Commission for Environmental Cooperation (CEC) in Boston, MA, USA.

At the Council Session, the Ministers discussed community resilience and adaptation to Climate Change, announced the roster of the traditional ecological knowledge (TEK) experts from the US, Mexico, and Canada who will advise the Council on opportunities to apply TEK to CEC’s operations and policy, and announced the 3rd round of the North American Partnership for Environmental Community Action (NAPECA) grants, a community grants program established in 2011 to support flexible, diverse and hands-on projects for low-income, underserved and indigenous communities across North America, thereby encouraging climate related activities and support the transition to a low-carbon economy. 

The Annual Council Session coincided with a public meeting hosted by the Joint Public Advisory Committee (JPAC) on “Water and Climate Change: Adaptation through Green Infrastructure, ” where participants discussed how green infrastructure and land-use planning have been used to manage the effects of changing stormwater patterns in urban and rural settings, and how it benefits human health. 

The 2015 Session closed with the signing of the Ministerial Statement and the passing of the CEC Council Chair from the United States to Mexico. 

Strategic Priorities and Cross-Cutting Themes for 2015-2020

Then-EPA Administrator McCarthy and her counterparts sign the Ministerial Statement and other strategic documents at the conclusion of the Council Session.

The Council presented three priority areas for the 2015-2020 Strategic Plan:

  • Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation
  • Green Growth
  • Sustainable Communities and Ecosystems

Cooperation initiatives, projects, and actions under these priorities will be guided by three important cross-cutting themes:

  • Learning from and assisting vulnerable groups and local and indigenous communities
  • Enhancing the alignment of environmental standards and regulations, enforcement, and compliance to promote environmental protection and facilitate trade in North America
  • Enhancing information sharing, transparency, capacity building, and communication

Town Hall

In the final session, Council Ministers opened up during a North America town hall questions and comments from across the continent on community resilience and climate change adaptation.  

The dialogue allowed for a real-time, two-way exchange between members of the public and the top environmental officials for North America. In addition to questions from the live audience, comments came from participants attending video conference hubs and webcasts in the U.S., Mexico, and Canada. 

Additional Resources and Information:

2014: CEC's 21st Annual Council Session

The North American Ministers display the signed Council Ministerial Statement for 2014.
 

On July 17, 2014, then-EPA Administrator Gina McCarthy led the U.S. delegation to the 21st Annual CEC Council Session of the North American Commission for Environmental Cooperation (CEC)  in Yellowknife, NWT, Canada, for a two-day dialogue that reflected on 20 years of trilateral accomplishments and a renewed focus on ensuring that trade and economic growth would go hand-in-hand with protection of the environment in North America.

As part of a continued commitment to transparency and the Submission on Enforcement Matters (SEM) modernization process, the Council implemented a new reporting approach where each country provided an update on actions taken in connection with submissions concluded in the past year. The Parties reported on the Quebec Automobiles and Protection of Polar Bears for Canada, Coal-fired Power Plants for the United States, and Lake Chapala II for Mexico.
 
Participants at the 21st Annual Council are treated to a performance by the Dene nation drummers.
 
 
Attendees to the session represented all sectors and featured an interactive townhall webcast with two-way video conference hubs in locations across North America.
 

The Annual Council Session coincided with a public meeting hosted by the Joint Public Advisory Committee (JPAC) on Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK) and the important role TEK can play in recognizing, mitigating and adapting to climate change.  In the final session, Council Ministers participated in an North American town hall meeting to address questions and comments from across the continent on the incorporation of Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK) into environmental decision-making.  In addition to questions from the live audience, comments came from participants attending video conference hubs and webcasts in Anchorage, Edmonton, Flathead Indian Reservation, Montreal, Mexico City, Vancouver and Washington, DC.

The 2014 Session closed with the signing of the Ministerial Statement and the passing of the CEC Council Chair from Canada to the United States. The United States announced it will host the 21st Annual CEC Council Session in 2015 in Boston, Massachusetts. 

2013: CEC's 20th Annual Council Session

Project Highlights of the 2013-2014 Operational Plan
  • Reducing Emissions from the movement of goods via Maritime Transportation
  • Improving the Economic and Environmental Performance of the North American Truck and Bus Manufacturing Supply Chain
  • Greening Transportation at North American Land Ports of Entry
  • Enhancing Environmental Law Enforcement in North America
  • North America’s Blue Carbon: Assessing the Role of Coastal Habitats in the Continent’s Carbon
  • Environmentally Sound Management of Selected End-of-Life Vehicle Batteries, Including Spend Lead Acid Batteries (SLABs)
On July 10, 2013, then-acting EPA Administrator Bob Perciasepe led the U.S. delegation to the 20th Annual CEC Council Session of the North Amercian Commission for Environmental Cooperation (CEC)  in Los Cabos, Mexico, for a two-day dialogue on how to reduce the impact of trade on the environment in North America.
 
The 2013 Council Session featured presentations from members of the public, industry leaders in the trucking and transportation sector, and representatives from environmental NGOs. The two-day meeting culmintated with a North American town hall where the Council Ministers fielded questions and comments from across the continent on the issues of the day.
 

At the session, the Council presented the 2013-2014 Operational Plan   to the public and acknowledged the success achieved through the 2011-2012 Operational Plan. The 2013-2014 Operational Plan outlines cooperative work to address the strategic priorities of the Council:

• promoting healthy communities and ecosystems;
• addressing climate change by moving to a low-carbon economy; and
• working with partners in the private sector togreen North America’s economy.
 
The North American Ministers sign the Council Ministerial Statement for 2013.
 
Also as part of the cooperative workplan, the parties announced the Request for Proposals (RFP) for the 2013-2014 North American Partnership for Environmental Community Action (NAPECA) community grants,  the second round of funding under the NAPECA.
 
Fulfilling the Council's commitment last year to modernize the Submissions for Enforcement Matters (SEM) process, the CEC launched the SEM web portal, a website desinged to enable citizens in North America easier and access to the citizen submission process.
 
The Annual Council Session coincided with a public meeting hosted by the Joint Public Advisory Committee (JPAC) on
  • how to more sustainably transport goods across borders,
  • how to reduce the impact of transportation, and
  • the technological innovations being developed across North America to address these issues.
Participants at the 20th Annual Council represented all sectors and featured an interactive townhall webcast to hubs across North America.
 
In the final session, Council Ministers sat down for an unscripted town hall moderated by David Angus, the chair of the Joint Public Advisory Committee. The dialogue was a rare opportunity for a real-time, two-way exchange between members of the public and the top environmental officials for North America. In addition to questions from the live audience, comments came from participants attending webcast hubs in Montreal, Vancouver, Mexico City and Washington, DC.
 
The 2013 Session closed with the signing of the Ministerial Statement and the passing of the CEC Council Chair to Canada from Mexico. Canada will host the 2014 Council Session, which will mark the 20th Anniversary of the North American Agreement for Environmental Cooperation (NAAEC) and the North Amercian Free Trade Agreement. 
 

2012: CEC's 19th Annual Council Session

On July 11, 2012, at the 19th Annual Commission for Environmental Cooperation (CEC) Council Session,  then-U.S. EPA Administrator Lisa P. Jackson hosted the Secretary of Environment for Mexico Juan Rafael Elvira Quesada and Minister Peter Kent of Canada, in her home town of New Orleans, Louisiana.
 
The CEC is a trilateral partnership between the U.S., Canada and Mexico that fosters conservation, protection and enhancement of the North American environment to increase economic, trade and social links among the three countries. The working portions of the Session took place at the New Orleans InterContinental Hotel. Representatives from across the North America gathered to discuss the primary theme of the conference: Ecosystem and Community Resiliency.
 

Outcomes of the Council Session

At the Council Session, the Ministers approved the 2012 Ministerial Statement, (3 pp, 165 K, About PDF) reinforcing the accomplishments of our collective work, as well as the challenges we face as a region.
 
Another key outcome of the Council Session was the adoption of revised guidelines and follow-up on the Submissions on Enforcement Matters (SEM) process.  Through the adoption of these revised guidelines, the Ministers have renewed their commitment to improve the timeliness, clarity, transparency, and accessibility of the SEM process.
 
In addition, as part of an ongoing discussion on Greening the Economy in North America, the Ministers received a report from the Panel of Experts on the Environmental Assessment of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) and held a follow-up discussion on domestic initiatives being taken by each country to advance a green economy.
 

Public Participation at the Council Session

The ministers respond to public comments at the Council Session.
 
Addressing environmental problems across the three countries of North America can only be accomplished by partnering closely with stakeholders and engaging directly with the public. To implement this priority, the Council introduced a new Project Expo to this year’s Council Session, along with a revised format for improving engagement between the public and the Ministers.
The Project Expo featured booths and exhibits by a number of North American Partnership for Environmental Community Action (NAPECA) grant recipients and other project partners. Attendees were able to learn about projects and program activities and provide input to project managers. NAPECA grants provide support a diverse set of projects by led by broad base of hands-on groups and organizations.
 
During the public portion of the Council Session, the ministers expanded the dialogue with the public, by including questions and presentations delivered via e-mail, social media, and webcast participants. The ministers heard remarks from a number of experts, academics and members of the public on the themes of Healthy Communities and Ecosystems and Community and Ecosystem Resilience. Presentations focused on the following:
Former EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson talks to members of the Louisiana Bucket Brigade, a NAPECA grantee, about air quality monitoring initiatives at the Public Expo.
 
 
  • Reducing exposure to airborne contaminants in the homes of indigenous communities in Alaska
  • Promoting and implementing measures to limit harmful environmental exposures in communities surrounding Lake Chapala in Mexico
  • Facilitating action to address climate change adaptation needs in indigenous communities in Canada and the United States
  • Responding to ecological disasters in New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina and the BP oil spill
The Joint Public Advisory Committee (JPAC),  which serves to ensure active public participation in the CEC’s endeavors, hosted two days of public workshops that complemented the Council Session by exploring ways to protect and strengthen vulnerable ecosystems, and how to bolster the resiliency of affected communities. Local academics, members of interested associations and NGOs, government officials, and local residents participated in the JPAC public sessions.
 

Preparing for the Coming Year

At the close of the 19th Council Session, leadership of the Commission for Environmental Cooperation (CEC) was passed from U.S. to the Government of Mexico, who will serve as Chair of the Council through July 2013.
 
The CEC's cooperative work program for 2012-13 lays out a coherent plan to address the Council’s main priorities—promoting healthy communities and ecosystems; addressing climate change by moving towards a low-carbon economy; and working with partners in the private sector to green North America’s economy—with strategic objectives that will produce results and direct environmental benefits at the community, indigenous, local and regional levels.
 

2011: NAPECA grant program launched at 18th CEC Council Session

Former EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson speaks at the 2011 Council Session.
 
On June 22, 2011, at the 18th annual Council Session in Montreal, Canada, then-U.S. EPA Administrator Lisa P. Jackson assumed leadership of the Commission for Environmental Cooperation (CEC).
 
The CEC’s 2011-2012 Operational Plan will be implemented with a new definition for trilateralism – finding common ground in community-level environmental solutions for North America.  In addition, the CEC has created a new, $1.4 million fund (North American Partnership for Environmental Community Action, NAPECA)  to support grants over the next two years to support communities in their efforts to locally address environmental problems across North America. This work at the community level is an integral part of delivering on our trilateral priorities and objectives.
 

Additional Resources and Information:

2010: Five Year Strategic Plan Signed at 17th CEC Council Session 

Former EPA Administrator Lisa P. Jackson, Environment Minister of Canada, the Honorable Jim Prentice, and Secretary for Environment from Mexico, Mr. Juan Rafael Elvira Quesada in Guanajuato, Mexico, sign resolutions at the Council Session of the North American Commission for Environmental Cooperation (CEC).
 
On August 17, 2010, then-EPA Administrator Lisa P. Jackson joined the Environment Minister of Canada and the Secretary for Environment from Mexico at the 17th annual Council Session of the North American Commission for Environmental Cooperation (CEC). The Parties agreed to a Strategic Plan for 2010–2015 includes three thematic priorities:
 
  • Healthy Communities and Ecosystems - improve the environmental health of children and other vulnerable communities, increasing the resilience of North America’s shared ecosystems, and enhancing environmental and wildlife enforcement and the continental management of chemicals of concern.
  • Climate Change – Low-Carbon Economy - improve the comparability of our greenhouse gas emissions data gathering, methodologies, and inventories, and building stronger networks of experts and systems to share climate change information.
  • Greening the Economy in North America - work with partners in the private sector to improve the environmental performance of small- and medium-sized enterprises in areas such as state-of-the-art green building design, and the movement of used electronics and other e-waste streams within our borders and beyond.
The North American environment ministers also agreed on the development of a new grant program, the North American Partnership for Environmental Community Action (NAPECA).  Grants will build partnerships to help improve environmental conditions at the community, local and regional levels.
 

Additional Resources and Information:

  

2009: New Policy Direction at 16th Annual CEC Council Session

The three Environment Ministers of North America answer the concerns of citizens at the Public Session of the 2009 Council Session.
 
On June 24, 2009 in Denver, Colorado, then-EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson met with the environment ministers of Canada and Mexico at the 16th annual Council Session of the North American Commission for Environmental Cooperation (CEC).  
 
Recognizing 15 years of North American environmental collaboration through the CEC, Canada, Mexico, and the United States reaffirmed their commitment to tackle shared environmental problems, in partnership with stakeholders and the public in all three countries.  The Council Session initiated a new policy direction with the Strategic Plan 2010-15 focused on 3 pillars of work: Healthy Communities and Ecosystems, Climate Change – Low-Carbon Economy, and Greening the Economy in North America.
 

Contacts

For additional information on EPA's work with the Commission for Environmental Cooperation, contact:
Dr. Lesley D'Anglada
Senior Advisor for North American Affairs
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Office of International and Tribal Affairs (2650R)
1200 Pennsylvania Ave., NW
Washington, DC 20460
Call: (202) 566-1125

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Last updated on October 1, 2024