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EPA's Role in the North American Commission for Environmental Cooperation (CEC)

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In February 2022, CEC announced the first recipients of the EJ4Climate grants program, announced by President Biden at the 2021 Climate Summit. Underserved and vulnerable communities, and Indigenous communities, in Canada, Mexico, and the United States will use the grants to prepare for climate-related impacts. 

With seed U.S. funds matched by the CEC, a total of USD $2M will go to 15 organizations (5 per country). U.S. grant recipients will be addressing issues such as coastal and city flooding and food security.

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 complements the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). The NAAEC promotes sustainable development based on cooperation and mutually supportive environmental and economic policies, and fosters the protection and improvement of the environment in the territories of the Parties for the well-being of present and future generations. 

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 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.
 
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 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.  Learn about other trade agreements and protecting the environment.
 
Logo for the Commission on Environmental Cooperation

Highlights

29th annual Council Session of the North American Commission for Environmental Cooperation

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.  During the event, the Council announced new and continuing initiatives including  a new cycle of the EJ4Climate grant program and the winners of the 2022 CEC Youth Innovation Challenge.

US-Mexico-Canada Trade Agreement and Environmental Cooperation Agreement Enter into Force

The United States-Mexico-Canada (USMCA) Free Trade Agreement and Environmental Cooperation Agreement (ECA) entered into force on July 1, 2020, updating and replacing the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) and North American Agreement on Environmental Cooperation (NAAEC), in force since 1994.  

Environment provisions are now a core element of the trade agreement 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.

Under the USMCA and ECA, EPA will continue to work through the Commission for Environmental Cooperation (CEC) to address regional environmental concerns, help prevent potential trade and environmental conflicts, promote the effective enforcement of environmental law, and to monitor the environmental effects of the USMCA. 

 
Recent Council Sessions

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 15 representatives of the public, five appointed by each of the Parties. In the United States, the five 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. Canada and Mexico also have National Advisory Committees advising their Council members.

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 pagefor 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).
 
View the Operational Plan for 2019-2020 (114 pp, 833 K, About PDF).  

Contacts

For additional information on EPA's work with the Commission for Environmental Cooperation, contact:
Nadtya Hong
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Office of International and Tribal Affairs (2670R)
1200 Pennsylvania Ave., NW
Washington, DC 20460
Phone: (202) 564-1391
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Last updated on August 23, 2022