In the Spotlight
Join the CEC in Celebrating Youth Leadership Across North America on International Youth Day
Happy International Youth Day! Today, we celebrate the energy, innovation and dedication of young leaders who are driving positive change across North America. Youth play a pivotal role in advancing sustainability by embracing a holistic approach. Their engagement accelerates knowledge-sharing and awareness, supports intergenerational dialogue, spurs action to tackle environmental challenges and fosters skill development for a sustainable future.
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
Air Quality Improvement for Environmental Justice
2022 Active Pollutants
Featured Publication
Guide to the Inventory of CEC initiatives with Indigenous engagement (1995-2018)
October 24, 2022 31 pages Ecosystems
As part of the North American TEK Atlas project, the present guide is a companion to the Inventory of CEC initiatives that have included Indigenous engagement. This inventory spans the entire history of CEC activities, from 1995 to December 2018. It involved keyword-based research from the CEC website and publication archives as well as discussions with CEC Secretariat staff to identify most initiatives.
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.