In the Spotlight
CEC Publishes Factual Record on the Effective Enforcement of Environmental Law Related to Submission SEM-21-002 (Vaquita Porpoise)
Tiohtià:ke (Montreal), 19 August 2025 — On August 18 the Secretariat of the Commission for Environmental Cooperation (CEC) published the factual record regarding submission SEM-21-002 (Vaquita Porpoise) filed on 11 August 2021 by the Center for Biological Diversity, Animal Welfare Institute, Natural Resources Defense Council, and Environmental Investigation Agency (“Submitters”), who asserted that Mexico is failing to effectively enforce its environmental laws with regard to conservation of the vaquita porpoise (Phocoena sinus).
From 28 to 30 October 2025 Event
Air Quality Improvement for Environmental Justice: Project partners meeting
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
Sustainable Living and Economies
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
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.
Indigenous Affairs
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. Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK), held by Indigenous Peoples, offers invaluable insights into sustainable practices, biodiversity conservation, environmental adaptability, and preparedness for environmental changes. The CEC is committed to fostering meaningful partnerships with Indigenous Peoples in Canada, Mexico and the United States, ensuring their perspectives and expertise are appropriately included in environmental decision-making and intentionally protected from misuse.
Featured Project
Stimulating Behavioral Changes to Reduce Food Loss and Waste (FLW) in North America and Expanded Promotion and Uptake of Related CEC FLW Resources
2024 Active Sustainable Living and Economies
Featured Publication
Planning an Ecotourism Initiative
Series of training resources for bird-related tourism
July 22, 2024 8 pages Ecosystems
Bird-related ecotourism can be a significant source of additional income for local economies, and can incentivize communities to sustain conservation efforts. This series of training resources was designed to support communities in developing sustainable ecotourism initiatives to generate socio-economic and conservation benefits through activities such as birdwatching, habitat conservation and celebratory events. The brochures are largely applicable to other types of ecotourism and cover the following themes: project planning, marketing, stakeholder engagement, interpretation programs, cultural values associated with ecotourism, bird festivals, monitoring and evaluation, as well as case studies of successful bird-related events.
CEC
Three countries working together to protect our shared environment 💚🌎🇨🇦🇲🇽🇺🇸
🟢 Español — @ccaamericadelnorte
🟢 Français — @cceameriquedunord
🎉 This year is the 15th anniversary of our North American Partnership for Environmental Community Action (#NAPECA) grant program! Over the years, we have supported 100 projects and together, with our grantees, helped build long-term partnerships to improve environmental conditions at the community level and support local priorities.
Today we are highlighting the 2019-2020 Canada’s grant recipient project “Working with the community to reduce vulnerability to flooding” from @ncc_cnc
This inspiring project is addressing the risk of flooding and increasing aquatic connectivity in the Brochets River and Lake Champlain watersheds.
The CEC’s support has helped develop expertise in aquatic connectivity through an online map that show the culverts, and bridges that need to be replaced to limit the risk of flooding. 🗺️💧
Join us in celebrating NAPECA’s 15-anniversary and listen from the voice of the grant recipients about the impact their project is having in their community:
👉More info link in bio!
🚀💻 Are you on social media frequently? If you are and are interested in learning about how the CEC brings together Canada, Mexico and the US to work on a wide array of North American environmental issues 🌎 stay connected with us!
Don’t miss out on webinars, events, public consultations, consultant and grant opportunities, youth engagement activities and more.
Connect with us in one (or several) of our eleven social media platforms in English, Spanish and French.
Check them out here:
👉More info link in bio!
Follow us today and be part of our network!
The CEC is supporting efforts to promote circular economy and sustainable material management approaches across #NorthAmerica 🤝
Through three milestone studies from the project “Transforming Recycling and Solid Waste Management in North America” covering topics on paper, plastics, and bioplastics waste management, the CEC is working to:
♻️ Increase product and material reuse, recovery and recycling rates.
🌿 Encourage eco-design and responsible resource use.
🔄 Foster innovation in waste management and secondary markets.
Read these three waste management milestone studies for Canada and US here:
👉More info: link in bio!
These studies will soon be available for Mexico!
This Sunday we celebrate International Day of Clean Air for Blue Skies ☁️🌬️💙
This year’s theme, “Racing for Air,” highlights the urgent need to accelerate solutions and collective action to deliver clean air for all.
Investing in clean air is key because it:
✨ enhances quality of life
👥 saves lives
📈 strengthens the economy, and
💡 opens doors for innovation.
The CEC understands the importance of ensuring clean air for human health through our initiatives on Transitioning Remote Communities to Renewable Energy and community-led air quality monitoring.
Learn more here:
👉More info link in bio!
The CEC is proud to be attending and supporting the 2025 eSummit as a nonprofit collaborator!🔌💻♻️
🔎 This event brings together leading experts and organizations to explore pathways for advancing sustainability in the electronics industry.
♻️ We look forward to sharing our work on circularity in electronics and highlight our trinational efforts across Canada, Mexico and the United States.
Are you attending the summit? Let’s connect!
🗓️ Monday 8 to Thursday 11 September 2025
📍 Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States
To learn more about this event visit:
👉More info link in bio!
⚖️ The CEC received a new #SEM submission on the deterioration of the Nazas River Lower Basin in the states of Durango and Coahuila in Mexico.
The Submitter asserts that the lower basin of the Nazas River has deteriorated at an accelerated pace in recent years due to the construction of water infrastructure projects (dams) which have altered the river’s natural flow. 🏗️🏞️
The Submitter adds that the dams have led to water scarcity, dryness of the riverbed, and a reduction in groundwater recharge. This is allegedly impacting local ecosystems, resulting in a loss of forest cover in riparian areas and triggering a state of emergency for the main aquifer in the region (Acuífero Principal Región Lagunera). 💧🌲
#SEMprocess
To learn more read the full media release here:
👉More info link in bio!
Many foods we enjoy – apples, almonds, avocados, tomatoes, coffee, and more – would never get to our plates without the help of pollinators. 🍅 ☕
By choosing to support #farmers who embrace pollinator-friendly practices like crop rotations, maintaining healthy #soil, and protecting native habitats, you can contribute to the creation of a safer environment for the pollinators that feed our world. 🚜🐝
Whether you're strolling through your farmer's market or browsing the aisles of a grocery store with pesticide-free options, every choice counts! 🛒
Learn all the simple & easy steps you can take to support our #pollinators today: 👉More info link in bio!
#PeopleForPollinators #SustainableAgriculture #SustainableFood
🌊 Flood-risk management is a major concern for coastal communities, particularly when considering sea-level rise caused by climate change.
Check out CEC’s new “Nature-based Solutions to Address Flood Risks in Coastal Communities” reports designed to provide decision-makers and practitioners with practical information and guidance related to NBS on:
🔴🏗️ Retrofitting Existing Infrastructure
🔵🌿 Co-Benefits
🟠📊 Monitoring Efficacy
🟢🔍 Monitoring Efficacy: Proposed Methodology & Indicators
🌊Explore the full series here:
👉More info link in bio!
Join us at the 2025 eSummit in Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States!
The CEC is attending this year’s eSummit and is looking forward to discussing more about our work on circularity in electronics.
Reach out if you’re attending this event and would like to learn more about our work in Canada, Mexico and the United States!
The eSummit brings together key actors across the electronics lifecycle to drive electronics sustainability forward.
The CEC is proud to be supporting this event as a nonprofit collaborator. 🔌💻♻️
📌 Monday 8 to Thursday 11 September 2025
To learn more about this event visit:
👉More info link in bio!
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.