In the Spotlight
Every Observation Matters!
The International Monarch Monitoring Blitz is a community science initiative open to anyone in North America. Each year, the Monarch Blitz takes place over a 10-day period, starting on the last Friday of July and ending on the Sunday of the following week.
A unique trinational organization advancing a regional approach to environmental cooperation and creating linkages across Canada, Mexico and the United States to address emerging and complex environmental challenges.
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
North America is experiencing a diverse array of socio-environmental and economic challenges due to ecosystem degradation and climate change. These challenges disproportionately affect systemically vulnerable communities, including Indigenous communities and minority groups. Addressing these issues requires a comprehensive approach that recognizes the region’s economic, ecological, cultural and social diversity. Sustainable...
Featured Publication
Transforming Recycling and Solid Waste Management in the US and Canada
This study examines the plastic waste value chain in Canada and the United States for thermoplastic resins or commodities—the materials most involved in the manufacture, distribution and commercialization of plastic products in the country. The publication includes an overview of related infrastructure, operational management and associated markets and documents the current state of recovery and recycling practices. It also outlines existing public policies and regulations within a circular economy (CE) framework.
The publication describes good practices and provides recommendations to strengthen Canada’s and the United States’ waste management system. In addition, best practices in waste management that can be implemented based on the findings of this study are identified, with the goal of providing information for decision-makers.
This publication is part of the project: Transforming Recycling and Solid Waste Management in North America. The Commission for Environmental Cooperation (CEC) commissioned a series of milestone studies on the recycling and management of paper and cardboard, plastics and bioplastics waste for Canada and the United States, and for Mexico. A pilot study on composting poly-coated fiber food packaging for Canada and the United States complements this series. Together, these publications aim to accelerate the adoption of CE practices and promote strategies for the sustainable management of these materials, generating economic and environmental benefits across the region.
The complete report is available in English only, but you can consult the executive summary in English, Spanish, and French.
