In 1993, environmental objections to NAFTA resulted in the establishment of the North American Commission for Environmental Cooperation (CEC), the first international organization created to address issues related to trade and the environment. The CEC is also the first regional environmental agency in North America with innovative tools, almost unlimited jurisdiction, and unprecedented opportunities for participation by civil society at the international level.


The lessons to be drawn from the CEC’s experience should be of great value to all those interested in environmental protection and economic integration, regional and global environmental organizations, and participation of civil society in international policy. Surprisingly, however, the CEC has received little scholarly attention, to date. This book is intended to fill that gap by providing a comprehensive analysis of how the organization has fulfilled, or failed to fulfill, its mandates.