In the Spotlight
International Monarch Monitoring Blitz
Every Observation Matters!
The International Monarch Monitoring Blitz is back for its 10th anniversary! From 31 July to 9 August 2026, join the celebration and help search for monarch butterflies and milkweed plants in your area.
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. Our work is organized around four main areas:
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.
Private Sector Engagement
The private sector plays a critical role in driving economic prosperity, innovation and sustainable development.
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
Building Community Solutions to Marine Litter in North America
Tijuana River
January 15, 2020 4 pages Ecosystems Pollutants
Common trash from consumer goods in coastal and inland locations makes up the majority of trash that ends up polluting our oceans. Marine litter damages ecosystems and kills marine life, threatening our food supplies, tourism, the fishing industry, and our economies. Through its 2017-2018 project “Building Community Solutions to Marine Litter”, the CEC led the first local, community-based approach in two transboundary areas – the Tijuana River and the Salish Sea – to help to identify and implement low-cost and low-technology solutions to local marine litter. This set of brochures includes a project overview and details the engagement processes and activities carried out in the Tijuana River and the Salish Sea watersheds.
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.