EPA's Role in the North American Commission for Environmental Cooperation (CEC)
The Commission for Environmental Cooperation (CEC) is led by the Environmental ministers from Canada, Mexico, and the United States.
EPA takes a leadership role in the Commission for Environmental Cooperation (CEC), Exit an international organization established by the United States, Canada, and Mexico under the North American Agreement on Environmental Cooperation (NAAEC). Exit The NAAEC complements the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA).
Since its creation in 1994, the CEC has advanced our understanding of trade-environment linkages; successfully promoted citizen engagement and increased government accountability regarding enforcement; achieved substantial results on key North American issues such as chemicals management and the conservation of North American biodiversity; and built substantial environmental capacities, particularly in Mexico, but also in the United States and Canada. Learn about other trade agreements and protecting the environment.
Moving forward, the CEC will focus on projects and activities to tackle climate change and improve air quality, increase green transportation and address waste in trade. These are just a few amongst a host of cross-cutting issues to protect human health and the environment in North America.
- Highlights
- Other Recent Activities
- CEC Council
- CEC Secretariat
- Joint Public Advisory Committee
- Other Advisory Committees
- North American Partnership for Environmental Community Action (NAPECA)
- Working Groups
- Strategic Plan
- Operational Plan
Highlights
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. A ministerial statement Exitwas 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.
Other Recent Activities:
- July 2015: Then-EPA Administrator Gina McCarthy hosted her counterparts from Canada and Mexico in Boston, Massachusetts, for the 22nd Annual Regular Session of the CEC. The meeting featured a public forum, hosted by the CEC’s Joint Public Advisory Committee (JPAC), and a public session headed by the three environment ministers.
- April 2015: The Joint Public Advisory Committee (JPAC) held its first regular session of 2015 in Monterrey, Mexico on Green Growth and Sustainable Competitiveness in North America.Exit
- April 2015: The U.S. National Advisory Committee and Governmental Advisory Committee (NAC-GAC) met in Washington, D.C. to formulate advice to the U.S. Representative to the CEC (the Administrator of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency).
- November 2014: The Joint Public Advisory Committee hosted “North America’s Coasts in a Changing Climate” Exit in Washington, D.C.
- April 2014: The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) approved the public release of the CEC factual record regarding United States activities under the Clean Water Act (CWA) to address mercury releases from coal-fired power plants. Read the Supplemental Statement from the U.S. EPA. Read the Factual Record on the CEC website. Exit
- March 2014: The North American parties to the CEC awarded $1.2 million in grants under the North American Partnership for Environmental Community Action (NAPECA) program. Exit
CEC Council
The CEC Council Exitis 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, NOAA, Department of Agriculture, Department of Commerce, U.S. Geological Survey, the Department of Energy, and the Department of Health and Human Services. EPA also coordinates U.S. interaction with the CEC Secretariat, advisory committees, and Council-created working groups.
CEC Secretariat
The Secretariat Exit 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, with a liaison office in Mexico City.
Joint Public Advisory Committee
The Joint Public Advisory Committee (JPAC) Exit 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 approved the first round of grants to be funded through the North American Partnership for Environmental Community Action (NAPECA) grant program, Exitwith a focus on building strong partnerships with communities and stakeholders in all 3 countries. NAPECA will support a diverse set of projects by providing access to CEC resources for a broad base of on-the-ground organizations and associations. In July 2013, the Council announced the 2nd round of funding under NAPECA.
Working Groups
Current CEC working groups include the North American Air Working Group (NAAWG), the Sound Management of Chemicals (SMOC) Working Group, the Enforcement Working Group (EWG), the Biodiversity Conservation Working Group (BCWG), and the Trade and Environment Working Group. These working groups provide advice and guidance for projects in the CEC workplan.
Strategic Plan
In July 2015, the Council approved the CEC's Strategic Plan for 2015-2020. Exit The plan established three strategic priorities for the Council: Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation, Green Growth and Sustainable Communities & Ecosystems. Specific objective and initiatives to support this approach can be found for each of these areas in the strategic plan.
Operational Plan
Each year, Council approves an operational plan and budget. The Operational Plan Exit includes projects under the priorities established in the Strategic Plan and lays out the tasks that are currently taking place. View the Operational Plan for 2015-2016.
Contacts
For additional information on EPA's work with the Commission for Environmental Cooperation, contact:
Sylvia Correa
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Office of International and Tribal Affairs (2670R)
1200 Pennsylvania Ave., NW
Washington, DC 20460
E-mail: correa.sylvia@epa.gov
(202) 564-6443