In the Spotlight
Tiohtià:ke (Montreal), 23 July 2026—The International Monarch Monitoring Blitz is just around the corner! From 31 July to 9 August 2026, we invite everyone across North America to head outside and search for monarch butterflies and milkweed plants.
Supporting emissions reduction and helping communities adapt to extreme weather events
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.
Working with communities to conserve and restore North America's terrestrial and marine ecosystems and priority species
Supporting enforcement and compliance with domestic environmental law and with multilateral environmental agreements
Advancing the sustainability of our economic activities and life choices by identifying and fostering alternatives that effectively integrate the environmental, social and economic dimensions for a just and resilient North America. Our work is organized around four main areas:
Promoting clean air, water and land through prevention, reductions, and sound management of pollutant releases, toxic chemicals and hazardous waste
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.
The Commission for Environmental Cooperation (CEC) recognizes the essential role that Indigenous Peoples and local communities play in environmental stewardship across Turtle Island, Madre Tierra, also known as North America.
The private sector plays a critical role in driving economic prosperity, innovation and sustainable development.
Featured Project
Spent lead-acid batteries (SLABs) are one of the largest sources of lead for industrial reuse in North America, but their recycling can release toxic emissions if not managed properly. Previous work by the CEC has helped identify levels of environmental and health protection, as well as regulatory frameworks across the...
Featured Publication
A Literature Review
The Central Grasslands of North America support critical biodiversity and human communities, yet continue to decline due to cropland conversion, climate change and other threats. This literature review synthesizes existing conservation social science research to better understand how grassland management decisions are made and how this knowledge can be more effectively integrated into conservation delivery. Using a systematic review approach, the literature review analyzes 104 sources, including peer-reviewed articles, technical reports and graduate theses, to identify common management behaviors, key factors influencing conservation decisions and barriers that limit participation.
This literature review is intended for conservation practitioners, researchers, policymakers and outreach professionals. It highlights gaps in current research, particularly the underrepresentation of Indigenous communities and marginalized voices, and emphasizes the need for more participatory, transdisciplinary approaches. The findings offer actionable insights to improve conservation program design, outreach strategies and collaboration, supporting more effective, equitable and locally grounded grassland conservation across the Central Grasslands.
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.
