EPA's Efforts in North America Commission for Environmental Cooperation (CEC)
The Commission for Environmental Cooperation (CEC), is an international organization established by the United States, Canada, and Mexico under the 1994 North American Agreement on Environmental Cooperation (NAAEC). This agreement complemented the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). In 2020, the United States-Mexico-Canada (USMCA) Free Trade Agreement and Environmental Cooperation Agreement (ECA) entered into force, updating and replacing the NAFTA and NAAEC.
With the inception of the new agreements, environment provisions are now a core element and the USMCA Environment Chapter contains the most comprehensive set of enforceable environmental obligations of any previous agreement signed by the United States. These include obligations to combat trafficking in wildlife, timber, and fish; to strengthen law enforcement networks to stem such trafficking; and for the first time, provisions to address environmental issues such as air quality and marine litter.
The ECA will strengthen and expand trilateral collaborative efforts to protect and conserve the environment and address emerging environmental challenges. Areas of cooperation in the Agreement include strengthening environmental governance; reducing pollution and supporting strong, low emissions, resilient economies; conserving and protecting biodiversity and habitats; promoting the sustainable management and use of natural resources; and supporting green growth and sustainable development.
The Commission for Environmental Cooperation facilitates collaboration and public participation to foster conservation, protection and enhancement of the North American environment for the benefit of present and future generations, in the context of increasing economic, trade, and social links among Canada, Mexico, and the United States.
The CEC consists of three bodies: the Council, the Secretariat, and the Joint Public Advisory Committee (JPAC). The Council, composed of the Ministers of Environment from Canada, Mexico, and the United States, is the governing body of the Commission. The EPA Administrator is the U.S. Council member, representing the United States on the CEC. EPA's counterparts are Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) and Mexico's Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources (SEMARNAT).
The Secretariat provides support to the Council, implements the annual Operational Plan approved by the Council, and implements other activities pursuant to the NAAEC. The JPAC engages stakeholders in North America and provides advice to the Council.
- Highlights
- CEC Council
- CEC Secretariat
- Joint Public Advisory Committee
- Other Advisory Committees
- North American Partnership for Environmental Community Action (NAPECA)
- Strategic Plan & Operational Plan
Highlights
30th annual Council Session of the North American Commission for Environmental Cooperation
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 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 several public events, including a session where the environment ministers and other expert environmental education panelists discussed the theme. During the event, the Council announced new and continuing initiatives including a new cycle of the EJ4Climate grant program, the winners of the 2023 CEC Youth Innovation Challenge, and a new cycle of the North American Partnership for Environmental Community Action (NAPECA) grant program, among others.
- Learn more about the 2023 Council Session.
CEC Council
The CEC Council is the governing body of the Commission, and is comprised of the environment ministers of the three Parties, or their designees.
EPA represents the United States on the three-member Council that governs the Commission. To implement the agreement and fulfill its role on the Council, EPA leads a broad interagency group including the State Department, U.S. Trade Representative, Department of Interior, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Department of Agriculture, Department of Commerce, U.S. Geological Survey, the Department of Energy, the Department of Health and Human Services, and the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, among others. EPA also coordinates U.S. interaction with the CEC Secretariat, advisory committees, and Council-created working groups.
CEC Secretariat
The Secretariat is headed by an Executive Director and provides technical, administrative and operational support. Additionally, the NAAEC gives the Secretariat several independent responsibilities which are overseen by the Council. The Secretariat is located in Montreal, Canada.
Joint Public Advisory Committee
The Joint Public Advisory Committee (JPAC) is comprised of nine representatives of the public, three appointed by each of the Parties. In the United States, the three JPAC members are appointed by the President.
Other Advisory Committees
The United States has convened a National Advisory Committee (NAC) and a Governmental Advisory Committee (GAC) to advise us on our CEC work.
North American Partnership for Environmental Community Action (NAPECA)
In February 2012, the CEC Council created the North American Partnership for Environmental Community Action (NAPECA) grant program. The program focuses on building strong partnerships with communities and stakeholders in all 3 countries. NAPECA supports diverse projects for a broad base of on-the-ground organizations and associations in North America.
Visit the CEC's NAPECA page for the latest information on current projects and grant opportunities.
Strategic Plan and Operational Plans
The CEC operates on the basis of a five-year strategic plan (PDF) (19 pp, 20.7 M, About PDF), with shorter term Operational Plans (OP) that ensure that the areas of cooperation are aligned with the Strategic Plan.
View current Operational plan.
Contacts
For additional information on EPA's work with the Commission for Environmental Cooperation, contact:
Dr. Lesley D'Anglada
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Office of International and Tribal Affairs (2670R)
1200 Pennsylvania Ave., NW
Washington, DC 20460
E-mail: danglada.lesley@epa.gov
Phone: (202) 566-1125