Negotiations for New Environmental Cooperation Agreement Recently Concluded
The Environmental Cooperation Agreement (ECA) among the United States, Mexico and Canada was recently completed in parallel with United States of America, United States of Mexico, and Canada (USMCA) trade negotiations. The ECA signing was completed in December 2018. The ECA will take effect upon entry into force of the USMCA.
Under the ECA, the United States, Mexico and Canada will cooperate to reduce pollution, strengthen environmental governance, conserve biological diversity, and sustainably manage natural resources. The new ECA will modernize and enhance trilateral cooperation, including by supporting implementation of the environment commitments in the USMCA.
CEC Overview
The Commission for Environmental Cooperation (CEC), Exit is an international organization established by the United States, Canada, and Mexico under the 1994 North American Agreement on Environmental Cooperation (NAAEC).Exit 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.
Highlights
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 the United States Environmental Protection Agency 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.
Learn more about the 2019 Council Session.
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, 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.
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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. Top of Page
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.Top of Page
Other Advisory Committees
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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.
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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.
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Operational Plan
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Contacts
For additional information on EPA's work with the Commission for Environmental Cooperation, contact:
Lisa Almodovar
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Office of International and Tribal Affairs (2670R)
1200 Pennsylvania Ave., NW
Washington, DC 20460
(202) 564-6401
