Sound Management of Chemicals Executive Director’s Overview Commission for Environmental Cooperation Sound Management of Chemicals Working Group and Stakeholders San Antonio, Texas March 31, 2009

Three National Environment Ministers CEC Chemicals Program Commission for Environmental Cooperation Commission for Environmental Cooperation Joint Public Advisory Committee Trade and Environment Biodiversity Hazardous Waste and Enforcement SEM Unit PRTR, Air Quality NA Atlas, SoE Communications Chemicals Program Sound Management of Chemicals NARAPs Monitoring and Assessing Pollutants Across NA SCC ImplementationNew Directions

Commission for Environmental Cooperation Turbulence, uncertainty predominate Conflicting priorities for government Climate change, economic crisis, energy issues Currently no clear vision Need to be alert for changing agendas Identify and seize opportunities Understand trade implications Partner with global priorities Reality check… no job, no money, no home Does human health/environment become less of a priority? North American Environmental Strategy Development Today

Commission for Environmental Cooperation Economic Stimulus/Energy/Climate Change Impact on environmental priorities? Can “green” survive? US and Canada bilateral priority: How will energy supply (oil sands/coal) and carbon challenges emerge? Role for trilateral cooperation agendas? Ambitious goals to reduce GHG by 2020 Opportunities for regional cooperation, policy coordination? Post-Kyoto regime Role for market-based strategies? Questions Shaping Today’s Environmental Agenda Priority One: Economy/Energy/Climate

Commission for Environmental Cooperation Free trade and the environment What are implications of re-opening NAFTA/NAAEC? Global conventions and agreements Does NA environmental management have a role? CEC’s role in capacity building Can capacity building be sustained? Capacity building beyond technical to strategic North American (chemical) security What role does the trilateral initiative have? SPP’s Statement of Intent on Chemicals Cooperation CEC SMOC as a delivery tool Questions Shaping Today’s Environmental Agenda Secondary Priority? Environment/Sustainability

Commission for Environmental Cooperation 1. Engage in the process of closing the cycle. 2. Focus on benefits for Small and Medium Enterprises greening industrial processes energy efficiency, and life-cycle approach with a perspective on the competitiveness of NA 3.Re-evaluate capacity building efforts and incorporate a regional perspective. 4. Expert’s participation in strategic considerations in line with regional/global challenges in coordination with global directions for the CEC Possible Directions for the CEC

Commission for Environmental Cooperation 1. Assist the Parties in formulating a strong political message on NAFTA and the Environment on regional risk reduction on extra-regional influence (GRULAC) 2. Explore, with Party experts, opportunities to align CEC with Economic stimulus packages with climate change priorities with energy agenda 3. Re-kindle opportunities on environmental health of children 4. Actively pursue public participation as an asset to constructing a NA view including the SEM process. CEC Initiatives

Commission for Environmental Cooperation Provides validated information for appropriate decisions Emphasizing sustained infrastructure Opens door for establishing and maintaining regional centers of excellence (GRULAC, UNEP) Inter/intra laboratory validation and certification (ISO17025) Scientific credibility Support from outside funding for sustainability Case study for other regional/global initiatives OECD, SAICM, UNEP, GRULAC GLBTS, La Paz, New England/Eastern Canada agenda Outstanding successes of NARAPs The Legacy of the CEC’s SMOC Program

Commission for Environmental Cooperation Foundation development with a finite life span encourage sustainable infrastructure for NA priorities Strategic linkages with other regional/global chemical management initiatives SAICM, OECD, REACH Pre-empt reactive mode for chemical risk management monitor and assess for prevention Promote the “green” agenda for sectors use economic stimulus as catalyst Academic and officials exchange programs CEC SMOC Program The Next Generation

Commission for Environmental Cooperation Muchas Gracias Merci Thank you Felipe Adrián Vázquez-Gálvez

Three countries. One environment. © Commission for Environmental Cooperation / 2009