Canada-US agreement on cooperation in environmental science and technology

Plain language summary

Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) shares many interests with the US Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA) on the science and technical aspects of environmental protection, particularly those related to environmental emergencies. With our common interest and shared border, the two Federal Agencies have collaborated on a number of high-profile studies over the past decades on the fate, behaviour and remediation options to prevent and minimize the impact of oil and chemical spills on the environment. This MOU enables the US EPA and ECCC to work together over a range of scientific fields as well as mutually assist each other to plan and respond to any potential cross-border environmental emergency.

Objective

The objective of this agreement is to engage in Cooperative Research, Development and Demonstrations in Science and Technology Related to Environmental Protection.

Key Elements

The agreement requires that the parties develop a program of cooperation in research, development and demonstrations relating to technologies, systems and methods for pollution prevention, monitoring, assessment and control through joint and parallel projects.

Expected Results

This agreement is expected to achieve the sharing of information, technology and techniques; workshops and conferences; temporary assignments of personnel from one Party to the other; or such other mechanisms for cooperation as may be agreed upon.

Canada’s Involvement

This agreement is important to Canada because it allows for the sharing of new information and knowledge on environmental protection and the leveraging of resources to deliver on mutually beneficial areas of research. The cooperative nature of this activity will be particularly beneficial when responding to cross-border environmental emergencies and events.

Results / Progress

Activities

Field tests and demonstrations of pollution prevention, control and monitoring equipment;

Development of pollution prevention, control and monitoring equipment for destruction, treatment, control, and/or disposal of hazardous and other waste;

Development of programs in areas of increasing priority such as: global change and related emissions modelling and mitigation; pollution prevention and related clean technology programs; municipal solid waste disposal methodologies, including the disposal of sludge and other residues; biotechnology and bioengineering control; and contaminated sediment remediation; and

Such other areas of mutual interest relating to environmental protection, upon which the Parties may mutually concur.

Following the events of September 11, 2001, these activities have included security related science activities including decontamination and restoration.

Reports

Results of the research activities are reported in scientific journal papers, workshop or conference proceedings, and individual project reports (e.g. Canadian Safety and Security Program (CSSP) reports). Many of the studies are published in the peer-reviewed proceedings of: Environment and Climate Change Canada’s Arctic and Marine Oilspill Program (AMOP) Technical Seminar on Environmental Contamination and Response;

US EPA International Conference on Decontamination Research and Development