23 June 2011: U.S. Environment Chief to Head North American Coalition
Canadian, Mexican and U.S. environmental officials met June 22 and agreed to focus on empowering communities, especially poor and disadvantaged communities, to address their environmental problems.
The three nations formed the North America Commission for Environmental Cooperation (CEC) in 1994, with a shared commitment to putting environmental protections on a par with trade and economic growth in the attention they get from governments.
"This is an important time to ensure that our economic and environmental priorities are fully aligned and complementary, so that we are moving towards a prosperous and sustainable future," said Lisa P. Jackson, administrator of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). "The work of the CEC is instrumental in shaping the future."
The CEC set aside $1.4 million to help communities address environmental problems locally.
The CEC identified three priorities for the next five years at the end of its meeting in Montreal. They are: healthy communities and ecosystems, climate change, and a low-carbon economy and "greening" the economy of North America.
Jackson assumed the rotating leadership position, and will host the next meeting of the group in New Orleans.
EPA maintains international relationships through membership in an assortment of other organizations, including the Arctic Council, the Asia-Pacific Partnership and the U.N. Environment Programme.