Canada’s Air Pollutant Emissions Inventory Report 2024: chapter 2.2
2.2 Sulphur oxides (SOx)
In 2022, 652 kt of sulphur oxides (SOx) were emitted in Canada (Table 2–4). Oil and Gas Industry were one of the largest contributors, accounting for 42% (275 kt) of national emissions. Approximately 82% (227 kt) of the emissions from this source were attributed to the Upstream Oil and Gas Industry sector. Ore and Mineral Industries was the second-largest source of SOx, accounting for 27% (175 kt) of total SOx emissions, mostly attributable to the Non-Ferrous Refining and Smelting Industry sector at 11% (73 kt) and the Aluminium Industry at 8% (53 kt) of the national total. Electric Power Generation (Utilities) also accounted for 24% (154 kt) of total SOx emissions, mostly attributable to coal-electric power generation at 22% (143 kt) of the national total.
Overall, SOx emissions decreased by 78% (2.4 Mt) between 1990 and 2022 (Figure 2–2). Reductions in emissions from the Ore and Mineral Industries, and in particular the Non-Ferrous Refining and Smelting Industry sector, were the largest driver of this downward trend, particularly in the early 1990s, and again from 2008 to 2022. The decrease since 2008 can be attributed to the preparation and implementation of pollution prevention plans by facilities, the installation of new technology or processes at facilities, the closure of four major smelters in Manitoba, Ontario, Quebec, and New Brunswick, and facilities achieving Base Level Industrial Emissions Requirements (BLIERs) through environmental performance agreements (ECCC, 2017, 2018a).
Emissions from Electric Power Generation (Utilities) decreased significantly from 2003 to 2022, primarily owing to the adoption of emissions control equipment on older coal units, and more recently, closure of coal-fired power plants. Between 2019 and 2022, coal-electric power generation saw a SOx emission decrease of 28% (55 kt) attributable to a decrease in coal consumption, mostly notably between 2019 and 2020. Installation of pollution control equipment, switching to low sulphur heavy fuel oil and closure of generating stations burning heavy fuel oil also contributed 15% of the reduction in emissions in this sector between 2003 and 2022.
SOx emissions from the Oil and Gas Industry exhibited an overall downward trend since the mid 1990s. Emissions from the Upstream Oil and Gas Industry have gradually declined throughout the time series due to implementation of better emission control technologies, particularly in the Oil Sands Mining, Extraction and Upgrading and Natural Gas Production and Processing subsectors. Despite improved emissions controls SOx emissions from the Upstream Oil and Gas Industry gradually increased between 2016 and 2022. This recent trend is driven by a 31% increase in crude bitumen production, as well as increased flaring at natural gas production and processing facilities as part of growing efforts to reduce methane emissions from venting. From 2020 to 2022 the Oil and Gas Industry experienced a 14% increase (33 kt) in SOx emissions. This includes a 32% (12 kt) increase in Petroleum Refining emissions as crude oil and crude bitumen charged to refineries increased as well as increases in crude bitumen production and flaring at natural gas processing facilities.
Emissions of SOx were 69% below 2005 levels. The main emission sources that contributed to these trends and the explanations for those decreases are similar to the ones between 1990 and 2022 that were previously explained.
The most significant changes in SOx emissions from 1990 to 2022 include:
- Ore and Mineral Industries: decrease of 88% (1.3 Mt), with:
- Non-Ferrous Refining and Smelting Industry: decrease of 94% (1.2 Mt)
- Electric Power Generation (Utilities): decrease of 75% (464 kt), with:
- Coal: decrease of 72% (372 kt)
- Oil and Gas Industry: decrease of 49% (260 kt), with:
- Upstream Oil and Gas Industry: decrease of 44% (179 kt)
The most significant changes in SOx emissions from 2005 to 2022 include:
- Ore and Mineral Industries: decrease of 80% (684 kt), with:
- Non-Ferrous Refining and Smelting Industry: decrease of 89% (604 kt)
- Electric Power Generation (Utilities): decrease of 70% (368 kt), with:
- Coal: decrease of 69% (319 kt)
- Oil and Gas Industry: decrease of 40% (187 kt), with:
- Upstream Oil and Gas Industry: decrease of 35% (122 kt)
Figure 2–2: Trends in Canadian SOx Emissions (1990 to 2022)
Long description for Figure 2-2
Figure 2–2 is a stacked area graph displaying the four major contributors to national sulphur oxides trends. They are the following: Non-Ferrous Refining and Smelting Industry, Coal (Electric Power Generation), Other and Upstream Oil and Gas Industry. The figure shows an important decrease in emissions between 1990 and 2022. The following table displays the contributions (kt) for the years 1990 to 2022.
| Sector Name | 1990 | 1991 | 1992 | 1993 | 1994 | 1995 | 1996 | 1997 | 1998 | 1999 | 2000 | 2001 | 2002 | 2003 | 2004 | 2005 | 2006 | 2007 | 2008 | 2009 | 2010 | 2011 | 2012 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Upstream Oil and Gas Industry | 406 | 402 | 427 | 434 | 464 | 445 | 437 | 395 | 378 | 383 | 377 | 368 | 350 | 355 | 348 | 349 | 329 | 317 | 298 | 298 | 279 | 272 | 276 | 260 | 235 | 216 | 196 | 207 | 212 | 215 | 206 | 217 | 227 |
| Other | 827 | 777 | 766 | 803 | 754 | 726 | 743 | 742 | 705 | 667 | 660 | 658 | 637 | 666 | 664 | 611 | 467 | 445 | 393 | 341 | 321 | 310 | 294 | 272 | 258 | 239 | 242 | 236 | 238 | 228 | 199 | 208 | 209 |
| Coal (Electric Power Generation) | 515 | 506 | 518 | 464 | 489 | 458 | 465 | 510 | 518 | 512 | 535 | 535 | 535 | 530 | 493 | 462 | 441 | 474 | 411 | 369 | 322 | 286 | 278 | 272 | 260 | 242 | 243 | 236 | 212 | 198 | 161 | 159 | 143 |
| Non-Ferrous Refining and Smelting Industry | 1265 | 1113 | 967 | 889 | 673 | 883 | 872 | 816 | 826 | 765 | 760 | 753 | 749 | 648 | 705 | 677 | 661 | 617 | 565 | 396 | 370 | 333 | 342 | 370 | 373 | 365 | 359 | 266 | 140 | 70 | 85 | 57 | 73 |
Table 2-4: National Summary of Annual SOx Emissions
| Sector | 1990 | 2000 | 2005 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total | 1 500 000 | 920 000 | 860 000 | 390 000 | 260 000 | 180 000 | 200 000 | 160 000 | 170 000 |
| Aluminium Industry | 31 000 | 48 000 | 63 000 | 66 000 | 61 000 | 57 000 | 62 000 | 59 000 | 53 000 |
| Asphalt Paving Industry | 740 | 650 | 720 | 630 | 640 | 570 | 530 | 580 | 520 |
| Cement and Concrete Industry | 48 000 | 45 000 | 54 000 | 23 000 | 25 000 | 23 000 | 20 000 | 19 000 | 20 000 |
| Foundries | 1 800 | 1 900 | 1 700 | 22 | 23 | 22 | 21 | 2.2 | 2.1 |
| Iron and Steel Industry | 37 000 | 30 000 | 31 000 | 19 000 | 20 000 | 20 000 | 15 000 | 14 000 | 16 000 |
| Iron Ore Pelletizing | 15 000 | 16 000 | 18 000 | 12 000 | 9 700 | 11 000 | 10 000 | 9 700 | 9 500 |
| Mineral Products Industry | 1 500 | 1 100 | 2 100 | 850 | 750 | 720 | 690 | 810 | 590 |
| Mining and Rock Quarrying | 83 000 | 15 000 | 12 000 | 2 100 | 1 600 | 1 600 | 1 700 | 1 700 | 1 900 |
| Non-Ferrous Refining and Smelting Industry | 1 300 000 | 760 000 | 680 000 | 270 000 | 140 000 | 70 000 | 85 000 | 57 000 | 73 000 |
| Sector | 1990 | 2000 | 2005 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total | 540 000 | 510 000 | 460 000 | 250 000 | 270 000 | 270 000 | 240 000 | 260 000 | 280 000 |
| Downstream Oil and Gas Industry | 130 000 | 140 000 | 110 000 | 48 000 | 53 000 | 53 000 | 37 000 | 46 000 | 48 000 |
| Upstream Oil and Gas Industry | 410 000 | 380 000 | 350 000 | 210 000 | 210 000 | 210 000 | 210 000 | 220 000 | 230 000 |
| Sector | 1990 | 2000 | 2005 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total | 620 000 | 620 000 | 520 000 | 250 000 | 220 000 | 210 000 | 170 000 | 170 000 | 150 000 |
| Coal | 510 000 | 530 000 | 460 000 | 240 000 | 210 000 | 200 000 | 160 000 | 160 000 | 140 000 |
| Diesel | 29 000 | 21 000 | 19 000 | 1 100 | 1 400 | 1 100 | 770 | 1 300 | 2 100 |
| Landfill Gas | 430 | 440 | 330 | 9.4 | 37 | 37 | 37 | 13 | 7.4 |
| Natural Gas | 0.76 | 15 | — | 100 | 92 | 88 | 11 | 7.2 | 6.5 |
| Other (Electric Power Generation) | 74 000 | 63 000 | 41 000 | 8 200 | 6 700 | 6 400 | 6 500 | 8 400 | 8 800 |
| Sector | 1990 | 2000 | 2005 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total | 220 000 | 150 000 | 140 000 | 42 000 | 44 000 | 41 000 | 35 000 | 38 000 | 38 000 |
| Abrasives Manufacturing | 4 000 | 860 | 860 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Bakeries | 0.053 | 0.052 | 0.16 | 0.00 | — | — | — | — | — |
| Biofuel Production | — | — | — | — | 2.3 | 6.5 | 5.1 | 0.090 | — |
| Chemicals Industry | 38 000 | 31 000 | 36 000 | 18 000 | 20 000 | 18 000 | 15 000 | 18 000 | 19 000 |
| Electronics | 1 700 | 3 000 | 3 000 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Food Preparation | 3 500 | 4 800 | 6 000 | 370 | 420 | 390 | 320 | 320 | 320 |
| Glass Manufacturing | 2 300 | 2 800 | 2 500 | 590 | 600 | 580 | 580 | 550 | 470 |
| Grain Industry | 230 | 210 | 370 | 490 | 340 | 330 | 200 | 320 | 440 |
| Metal Fabrication | 150 | 190 | 37 | 7.1 | 4.4 | 2.0 | 2.5 | 10 | 14 |
| Plastics Manufacturing | 340 | 24 | 3.9 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | — | — | — |
| Pulp and Paper Industry | 140 000 | 78 000 | 66 000 | 22 000 | 22 000 | 20 000 | 19 000 | 18 000 | 17 000 |
| Textiles | 380 | 390 | 320 | 19 | 19 | 15 | 0.00 | — | — |
| Vehicle Manufacturing (Engines, Parts, Assembly, Painting) | 1 200 | 1 200 | 1 100 | 0.00 | 0.058 | 0.060 | 0.00 | 0.14 | 0.30 |
| Wood Products | 3 200 | 3 300 | 3 000 | 600 | 530 | 560 | 480 | 890 | 1 100 |
| Other (Manufacturing) | 30 000 | 27 000 | 24 000 | 360 | 340 | 450 | 140 | 480 | 370 |
| Sector | 1990 | 2000 | 2005 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total | 98 000 | 92 000 | 71 000 | 6 800 | 6 500 | 6 700 | 2 800 | 3 000 | 3 200 |
| Air Transportation (LTO) | 810 | 850 | 930 | 690 | 650 | 620 | 260 | 280 | 400 |
| Domestic Marine Navigation, Fishing and Military | 38 000 | 47 000 | 54 000 | 4 700 | 4 300 | 4 600 | 1 800 | 1 900 | 1 800 |
| Heavy-Duty Diesel Vehicles | 18 000 | 6 500 | 5 700 | 130 | 130 | 120 | 100 | 110 | 130 |
| Heavy-Duty Gasoline Vehicles | 740 | 850 | 61 | 47 | 53 | 49 | 21 | 21 | 28 |
| Heavy-Duty LPG/NG Vehicles | 100 | 4.8 | 0.20 | 0.92 | 1.1 | 1.4 | 0.97 | 1.0 | 1.3 |
| Light-Duty Diesel Trucks | 970 | 260 | 120 | 2.2 | 2.3 | 2.4 | 1.9 | 2.2 | 3.1 |
| Light-Duty Diesel Vehicles | 450 | 100 | 120 | 2.3 | 2.1 | 1.8 | 1.1 | 1.1 | 1.2 |
| Light-Duty Gasoline Trucks | 3 900 | 6 900 | 520 | 560 | 650 | 620 | 240 | 250 | 370 |
| Light-Duty Gasoline Vehicles | 7 800 | 8 500 | 540 | 360 | 410 | 370 | 120 | 120 | 160 |
| Light-Duty LPG/NG Trucks | 9.7 | 1.5 | 0.079 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 |
| Light-Duty LPG/NG Vehicles | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 |
| Motorcycles | 40 | 63 | 6.2 | 9.3 | 11 | 11 | 3.8 | 3.8 | 4.9 |
| Off-Road Diesel Vehicles and Equipment | 20 000 | 13 000 | 4 000 | 130 | 130 | 130 | 110 | 120 | 120 |
| Off-Road Gasoline/LPG/NG Vehicles and Equipment | 1 200 | 2 000 | 140 | 120 | 130 | 120 | 50 | 53 | 51 |
| Rail Transportation | 5 700 | 5 400 | 5 000 | 50 | 51 | 51 | 48 | 47 | 47 |
| Tire Wear and Brake Lining | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Sector | 1990 | 2000 | 2005 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total | 2 200 | 1 500 | 2 900 | 300 | 240 | 220 | 190 | 160 | 170 |
| Agricultural Fuel Combustion | 2 200 | 1 500 | 2 900 | 300 | 240 | 220 | 190 | 160 | 170 |
| Animal Production | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Crop Production | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Sector | 1990 | 2000 | 2005 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total | 50 000 | 35 000 | 35 000 | 5 000 | 4 600 | 4 500 | 4 200 | 3 700 | 4 000 |
| Commercial and Institutional Fuel Combustion | 19 000 | 19 000 | 21 000 | 1 200 | 860 | 930 | 790 | 780 | 930 |
| Commercial Cooking | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Construction Fuel Combustion | 1 900 | 620 | 1 400 | 310 | 250 | 270 | 500 | 230 | 170 |
| Home Firewood Burning | 1 800 | 1 500 | 1 300 | 1 700 | 1 600 | 1 400 | 1 300 | 1 200 | 1 300 |
| Human | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Marine Cargo Handling | 0.00 | 0.00 | — | 120 | 97 | 170 | 83 | 110 | 130 |
| Residential Fuel Combustion | 28 000 | 14 000 | 11 000 | 1 700 | 1 800 | 1 700 | 1 500 | 1 400 | 1 400 |
| Service Stations | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Other (Miscellaneous) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Sector | 1990 | 2000 | 2005 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total | 1 300 | 1 900 | 1 900 | 2 100 | 2 200 | 2 100 | 2 400 | 2 100 | 2 000 |
| Crematoriums | 12 | 14 | 17 | 25 | 26 | 27 | 29 | 29 | 30 |
| Waste Incineration | 700 | 1 000 | 820 | 980 | 970 | 900 | 1 000 | 820 | 770 |
| Waste Treatment and Disposal | 630 | 910 | 1 000 | 1 100 | 1 200 | 1 200 | 1 300 | 1 300 | 1 200 |
| Sector | 1990 | 2000 | 2005 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total | 2.1 | 1.5 | 0.62 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Dry Cleaning | 0.00 | 0.00 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| General Solvent Use | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Printing | 2.0 | 1.5 | 0.62 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Surface Coatings | 0.00 | 0.00 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Sector | 1990 | 2000 | 2005 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Coal Transportation | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Construction Operations | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Mine Tailings | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Paved Roads | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Unpaved Roads | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Sector | 1990 | 2000 | 2005 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total | 180 | 28 | 18 | 20 | 12 | 15 | 11 | 10 | 24 |
| Prescribed Burning | 180 | 28 | 18 | 20 | 12 | 15 | 11 | 10 | 24 |
| Structural Fires | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Sector | 1990 | 2000 | 2005 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ore and Mineral Industry | 1 500 000 | 920 000 | 860 000 | 390 000 | 260 000 | 180 000 | 200 000 | 160 000 | 170 000 |
| Oil and Gas Industry | 540 000 | 510 000 | 460 000 | 250 000 | 270 000 | 270 000 | 240 000 | 260 000 | 280 000 |
| Electric Power Generation (Utilities) | 620 000 | 620 000 | 520 000 | 250 000 | 220 000 | 210 000 | 170 000 | 170 000 | 150 000 |
| Manufacturing | 220 000 | 150 000 | 140 000 | 42 000 | 44 000 | 41 000 | 35 000 | 38 000 | 38 000 |
| Transportation and Mobile Equipment | 98 000 | 92 000 | 71 000 | 6 800 | 6 500 | 6 700 | 2 800 | 3 000 | 3 200 |
| Agriculture | 2 200 | 1 500 | 2 900 | 300 | 240 | 220 | 190 | 160 | 170 |
| Commercial/Residential/Institutional | 50 000 | 35 000 | 35 000 | 5 000 | 4 600 | 4 500 | 4 200 | 3 700 | 4 000 |
| Incineration and Waste | 1 300 | 1 900 | 1 900 | 2 100 | 2 200 | 2 100 | 2 400 | 2 100 | 2 000 |
| Paints and Solvents | 2.1 | 1.5 | 0.62 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Dust | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Fires | 180 | 28 | 18 | 20 | 12 | 15 | 11 | 10 | 24 |
| Grand Total | 3 000 000 | 2 300 000 | 2 100 000 | 950 000 | 800 000 | 710 000 | 650 000 | 640 000 | 650 000 |
Notes:
Totals may not add up due to rounding.
0.00 Indicates emissions were truncated due to rounding.
— Indicates no emissions
| Sector | 1990 | 2000 | 2005 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Domestic Air Transportation (Cruise) | 2 200 | 2 300 | 2 500 | 2 200 | 2 000 | 1 900 | 820 | 990 | 1 400 |
| International Air Transportation (Cruise) | 2 400 | 3 600 | 4 300 | 5 300 | 5 000 | 4 500 | 1 500 | 1 500 | 2 700 |
| International Marine Navigation | 42 000 | 63 000 | 73 000 | 4 000 | 4 000 | 3 100 | 2 100 | 2 200 | 2 100 |
Note:
Refer to Annex 4.4 for more information on international marine navigation and air transportation reporting emissions.
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