Key Messages • There is a great deal of potential in the cooperation activities of the new side agreement and the new commitments of the environment chapter, but for now they are potential only: time and experience will judge their ultimate utility. [...] The interplay of the CUSMA environment chapter (Chapter 24)2 and the ECA formalizes how the three countries will cooperate on environmental protection and conservation. [...] As under NAFTA, the CEC consists of three bodies: • A Council, made up of ministers of environment from Canada and Mexico and the Environmental Protection Agency Administrator from the United States • A Secretariat, which provides support to the Council and implements activities • A Joint Public Advisory Committee, which engages stakeholders in North America and provides advice to the Council The [...] The ECA has a close relationship with Chapter 24 of the CUSMA: • Citizens can still make submissions alleging failure of the parties to enforce existing environmental laws, and these can result in a factual record being prepared that explores the infraction. [...] Whereas under the NAAEC an arbitral panel would be convened to cover any state-to-state environmental disputes, though there never was one, the CUSMA adopts the modern “ladder” practice: if consultations do not work, the next rung in the ladder is consideration by the CUSMA Environment Committee, followed by, if necessary, ministerial consultations, followed by the CUSMA’s general dispute settleme