In the Spotlight
Our Impact
Explore how the CEC’s work over the years has delivered tangible environmental and social outcomes across North America — from scientific studies that guided environmental standards, regulations and policies in Canada, Mexico and the United-States, to trinational conservation strategies, community grants and geospatial mapping projects. Whether you’re a policymaker, conservation expert, researcher or simply interested in North American environmental cooperation, this page offers a comprehensive overview of not only what the CEC has achieved — but how and why those efforts have unfolded.
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
Scoping: Uptake of Best Practices for Environmentally Sound Management of Spent Lead-Acid Batteries
2024 Active Sustainable Living and Economies
Featured Publication
Co-Benefits
Nature-based Solutions to Address Flood Risks in Coastal Communities Report Series
November 30, 2025 63 pages Climate Change Ecosystems
Flood-risk management is a major concern for coastal communities, particularly when considering sea-level rise caused by climate change. Nature-based solutions (NBS) have the potential to meet many flood-risk management objectives while also providing social, environmental, and economic co-benefits.
This series of guidance documents was designed to support the uptake of NBS in coastal communities across Canada, Mexico and the United States, by providing decision makers and practitioners with practical information and guidance related to NBS co-benefits, retrofitting existing infrastructure using NBS, and monitoring NBS. The documents synthesize significant previous work, incorporate insights from an interdisciplinary community of practitioners gathered through intersectoral workshops, and propose new, practical decision frameworks and processes. They also include case studies from the three countries to provide real-world context and emphasize key concepts throughout the reports.
This report series was published as part of the CEC project Nature-based Solutions to Address Flooding in Coastal Cities.
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.