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Commission for Environmental Cooperation of North America

The CEC is an international organization created by Canada, Mexico and the United States under the North American Agreement on Environmental Cooperation (NAAEC).

The Agreement complements the environmental provisions of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) in 1994.

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North American Agreement on Environmental Cooperation

10 Objectives, including:

Foster the protection and improvement of the environment [. . .] for the well-being of present and future generations; promote sustainable development based on cooperation and mutually supportive environmental and economic policies;

promote economically efficient and effective environmental measures;

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North American trade and economic activity

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440 million people

Largest free trade zone in the world - $17 trillion total GDP

Canada-Mexico-US trade approx. $ 1 trillion

Continental “stimulus” package more than $ 1 trillion

Mosaic of shared ecosystems

Transboundary flow of air, water, species

Annual cost of environmental degradation in MX 10% of GDP

440 million people

Largest free trade zone in the world - $17 trillion total GDP

Canada-Mexico-US trade approx. $ 1 trillion

Continental “stimulus” package more than $ 1 trillion

Mosaic of shared ecosystems

Transboundary flow of air, water, species

Annual cost of environmental degradation in MX 10% of GDP

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Overall Challenge

Fostering protection and improvement of the environment in North America -

- in the context of an increasingly integrated continental economy

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GHG Challenge

• Ensuring efficiency and equity across all 3 countries

– Efficiencies in where, when, and how GHG reduction and mitigation programs are implemented

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Need for common metrics

http://www.ec.gc.ca/soer-ree/English/Indicators/Issues/Climate/Tech_Sup/ccsup03_e.cfm

Canadian CO2 Emission: Sources

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North American Leaders’ Declaration on Climate Change and Clean Energy

President Obama, President Calderon, Prime Minister Harper10/08/2009

• “We share a vision for a low-carbon North America . . .”

• . . . we will work cooperatively to develop and follow up on a Trilateral Working Plan and submit a report of results . . .”

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Hon. Jim Prentice, Minister of Environment – 05/10/2009

• “Canadians understand the need to address complex challenges like this one with a common approach. By working closely with the U.S. -- our closest neighbour and largest trading partner -- we are protecting our environment, as well as the Canadian manufacturing industry and consumers.”

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