In the Spotlight
Members of the CEC Council Authorize the Development of a Factual Record Regarding the North Atlantic Right Whale Submission
Tiohtià:ke (Montreal), 22 January 2025—The members of the Council of the Commission for Environmental Cooperation (CEC), in Council Resolution 25-01 unanimously decided to instruct the CEC Secretariat to develop a factual record regarding submission SEM-21-003 (North Atlantic right whale). The submission asserts that the United States is failing to effectively enforce the Endangered Species Act, Marine Mammal Protection Act, and National Environmental Policy Act and associated regulations to protect the North Atlantic right whale (Eubalaena glacialis) from vessel strikes and fishing gear entanglement.
26 and 27 February, 2025Event
Meeting of the North American Pollutant Release and Transfer Register (PRTR) Initiative
Topics
Climate Change
Supporting emissions reduction and helping communities adapt to extreme weather events
Environmental Justice
The pursuit of environmental justice (EJ) aims to address historical inequities, marginalization and discrimination in how environmental benefits and burdens are enjoyed or suffered by certain communities.
Ecosystems
Working with communities to conserve and restore North America’s terrestrial and marine ecosystems and priority species
Enforcement
Supporting enforcement and compliance with domestic environmental law and with multilateral environmental agreements
Green Growth
Innovative joint approaches to support sustainable economic development, trade and consumption
Pollutants
Promoting clean air, water and land through prevention, reductions, and sound management of pollutant releases, toxic chemicals and hazardous waste
Youth Engagement
Over the years, the CEC has been committed to youth engagement and the efforts supported have provided youth with opportunities to raise awareness, provide tangible, sustainable, and innovative solutions for environmental issues in their communities, and influence CEC’s strategies, projects, and initiatives.
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Air Quality Improvement for Environmental Justice
2022 Active Pollutants
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Metrobús Reforma
Factual Record Regarding Submission SEM-18-002
October 24, 2022 108 pages Enforcement
On 1 July 2020, the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA or “the Agreement”) and the Environmental Cooperation Agreement (ECA) entered into force. Pursuant to ECA Article 2(3), the CEC “will continue to operate under the modalities in place as of entry into force of [the ECA].” This factual record was prepared in conformity with the provisions of NAAEC Article 15.
On 2 February 2018, the organizations Academia Mexicana de Derecho Ambiental, A.C. and La Voz de Polanco, A.C. (hereinafter, the “Submitters”) filed a submission with the Secretariat in accordance with Article 14(1) of the Agreement. The Submitters assert that the approvals, permits, and concessions for the project to build line 7 of the Metrobús Reforma Mass Transit Corridor (Corredor de Transporte Público Colectivo de Pasajeros Metrobús Reforma) (hereinafter, “Metrobús Reforma project”), developed by the Mexico City government (CDMX), were granted “opaquely and unlawfully.” They contend in particular that the legally prescribed procedure for environmental impact assessment of the Metrobús Reforma project, now completed and being operated by the Mexico City authorities, was not followed.
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Indigenous Affairs Officer
Job Opportunities
Deadline: March 7, 2025
Salary/Budget: From C$130,000 to C$142,000 gross
Location: Montreal, Quebec
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What We Do
We conduct research, provide tools and training, and provide a unique space for decision-makers and the public to engage on environmental policy issues affecting the North American region.