Canadian Environmental Protection Act annual report 2018 to 2019: chapter 3

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• 3. Reporting programs and emission inventories
  • 3.1 Reporting programs
  • 3.2 Emission and release inventories
  • 3.3 Canadian Environmental Sustainability Indicators

3. Reporting programs and emission inventories

3.1 Reporting programs

There are 2 mandatory reporting programs under the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999 (CEPA), which require facilities to report on their releases or emissions of specified substances into the environment. They are the:

• National Pollutant Release Inventory reporting
• Greenhouse Gas Reporting Program

Data for both programs is submitted through Environment and Climate Change Canada’s (ECCC) Single Window Information Management (SWIM) system. Further information on the SWIM system is available online.

National Pollutant Release Inventory Reporting

The National Pollutant Release Inventory (NPRI), Canada’s legislated, publicly accessible national inventory, collects information from Canadian industrial, commercial and institutional facilities on their releases (to air, water and land), disposals, and transfers of pollutants and other substances of concern. Since 1993, owners or operators of facilities that have met the NPRI reporting requirements have reported on an annual basis. Data collected under the NPRI is a key input to Canada’s comprehensive Air Pollutant Emissions Inventory (APEI) and the Black Carbon Inventory, described below.

NPRI data for the 2017 reporting year was published in preliminary form in July 2018 and in reviewed form in December 2018. Over 7000 facilities, located in every province and territory, reported to the NPRI for the 2017 reporting year (figure 11).

Figure 11. Location of facilities that reported to the NPRI for the 2017 reporting year

The NPRI Multi-Stakeholder Work Group is the primary consultation mechanism for the NPRI program, with representatives from industry associations, environmental groups and Indigenous organizations providing input on changes to the requirements and other aspects of the program, such as tools to access the data. Consultations during 2018-2019 included a number of teleconferences and paper-based consultations. Consultations focused on proposed changes to the requirements for 2020 reporting, including changes to reporting of air pollutants to provide more information for air quality modelling and for certain substances such as naphthenic acids, dioxins, furans, and hexachlorobenzene.

In addition to the above-mentioned consultations, the NPRI program shares information and gathers ideas from stakeholders and the public. Activities include engaging users of NPRI data to get input on how to meet their needs; working collaboratively with other government programs and international organizations; and updating stakeholders regularly on the NPRI.

During 2018-2019, ECCC undertook a number of initiatives to respond to the needs of various users of NPRI data. For example, the Department held consultations on proposed changes to NPRI reporting requirements that are proposed to take effect for the 2020 reporting year (see section 3.1). ECCC also continued to improve the accessibility of datasets to facilitate analysis by data users with the publication of 2017 data.

Greenhouse Gas Reporting Program

ECCC requires annual reporting of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from facilities (mostly large industrial operations) through its Greenhouse Gas Reporting Program (GHGRP). The GHGRP is part of ECCC’s ongoing effort to develop, in collaboration with the provinces and territories, a nationally consistent, mandatory GHG reporting system, in order to meet the GHG reporting needs of all jurisdictions and to minimize the reporting burden for industry and government.

Key objectives of the GHGRP are to provide Canadians with consistent information on facility‑level GHG emissions, to support regulatory initiatives, and to support the National GHG Inventory. The data collected are also shared with provinces and territories.

In January 2019, a notice was published in the Canada Gazette, Part I requiring the reporting of GHG emissions for the 2019 calendar year. As part of phase 2 of the program expansion, the notice included the following changes from previous years: enhanced reporting and methodological requirements for facilities in nine additional industry sectors, including facilities engaged in electricity and heat generation, petroleum refining, pulp and paper manufacturing, mining, base metal smelting/refining, and the production of ethanol, ammonia, nitric acid and hydrogen. These changes build from similar expanded reporting requirements that were issued in 2017 (phase 1).

The 2017 reporting cycle marks the first year of the expansion to the program where one key change was the lowering of the reporting threshold from 50 000 to 10 000 tonnes CO₂ equivalent. This resulted in an additional 953 facilities reporting for the first time to the GHGRP in June 2018. The 2017 facility-reported data was made publicly available in April 2019. Information about the GHGRP, as well as the phase 2 consultations and the outcomes, which were posted in December 2018 are available online.

3.2 Emission and release inventories

ECCC compiles and maintains 5 inventories of substances released into the environment. These are the:

• National Pollutant Release Inventory
• Air Pollutant Emissions Inventory
• Black Carbon Emissions Inventory
• Facility Greenhouse Gas Emissions Overview
• National Greenhouse Gas Inventory

National Pollutant Release Inventory

NPRI information is a major starting point for identifying and monitoring sources of pollution in Canada, and in developing indicators for the quality of our air, land and water. The NPRI helps determine if regulatory or other action is necessary to ensure reductions, and if so, the form that action should take. Public access to the NPRI data through an annual data highlights, an online data search tool, location-based data for use in mapping and downloadable datasets encourages industry to prevent and reduce pollutant releases, and improves public understanding about pollution and environmental performance in Canada.

In 2017, 7 001 facilities reported to the NPRI a total of 4 920 807 tonnes covering over 320 substances (figure 12):

• 3 226 906 tonnes of pollutants were released directly to the environment
• 1 403 573 tonnes were disposed to landfills, applied to land or injected underground, either on the facility site or off-site
• 288 328 tonnes were transferred off the facility site for treatment prior to final disposal or for recycling and energy recovery

Figure 12. Breakdown of total quantities reported in 2017, by reporting category

Between 2008 and 2017, releases to the environment reported to the NPRI decreased by nearly 21% (845 277 tonnes) (figure 13). In particular:

• releases to air decreased by 22% (838 026 tonnes)
• releases to water increased by 8% (9 749 tonnes)
• releases to land increased by 109% (8 168 tonnes)
• releases of substances (that is, unspecified media) where the total release quantity was less than one tonne decreased by 49% (386 tonnes)

Figure 13. Total direct releases between 2008 and 2017

Between 2008 and 2017, total disposals and transfers decreased by 4% (74 382 tonnes) (figure 14). In particular:

• off-site disposals decreased by 81% (433 236 tonnes)
• on-site disposals decreased by 14% (38 724 tonnes)
• off-site transfers for recycling decreased by 16% (54 115 tonnes)
• disposals of waste rock (rock removed to reach ore) increased by 1 674% (167 095 tonnes)
• disposals of tailings (materials left when minerals are removed from ore) increased by 52% (290 609 tonnes)

Figure 14. Total disposals and transfers between 2008 and 2017

Pollution prevention data submitted to the NPRI is analyzed and outlined in the NPRI annual highlights. Pollution prevention activity data submitted by facilities is also summarized on the “How your business can prevent pollution” webpage, which provides an overview and examples of the implementation of the seven common pollution prevention techniques among Canadian facilities.

Air Pollutant Emission Inventory

Canada’s Air Pollutant Emission Inventory (APEI) is a comprehensive inventory of air pollutant emissions at the national, provincial and territorial level primarily based on data in the NPRI. Since 1990, the APEI compiled emissions of 17 air pollutants contributing to smog, acid rain and poor air quality.

This inventory serves many purposes including fulfilling Canada’s international reporting obligations under the 1979 Convention on Long-Range Transboundary Air Pollution (CLRTAP) and the associated protocols ratified by Canada for the reduction of emissions of sulphur oxides (SO_x), nitrogen oxides (NO_x), volatile organic compounds (VOCs), particulate matter (PM), cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb), mercury (Hg), dioxins and furans, and other persistent organic pollutants (POPs). The APEI also supports monitoring and reporting obligations under the Canada-U.S. Air Quality Agreement, the development of air quality management strategies, policies and regulations, provides data for air quality forecasting models, and informs Canadians about pollutants that affect their health and the environment.

According to the APEI, 14 of the 17 reported air pollutants show decreases compared to historical levels.

• A few sources of pollutants exerted a dominant influence in the downward trends in emissions. In particular, decreases in emissions of sulphur oxides (SO_x), cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb), mercury (Hg) and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) from non-ferrous refining and smelting, and from mining and rock quarrying strongly contributed to the overall downward trends in emissions of these pollutants.
• In addition, reductions in nitrogen oxide (NO_x) emissions from light-duty gasoline trucks and vehicles, as well as in volatile organic compounds (VOC) and carbon monoxide (CO) emissions associated with the combustion of gasoline, liquid petroleum gas or natural gas by off-road equipment were instrumental in reducing national emissions of these pollutants.
• Improvements in incineration technologies contributed significantly to decreases in emissions of hexachlorobenzene (HCB) and dioxins and furans (D/F).
• Improved agricultural practices and the adoption of more modern wood combustion equipment also contributed to a 15% decrease in emissions of particulate matter with a diameter less than 2.5 micrometers (PM_2.5).
• An 11% increase in PM₁₀ emissions since 1990 contrast with the general trends described above, which is largely due to increased transportation as well as construction operations.
• Another exception to the general downward trends is the observed increase in emissions of ammonia (NH₃), which were 19% above 1990 levels in 2017; the upward trend in ammonia emissions is driven by fertilizer application and animal production.

Figure 15. Emissions trends for selected air pollutants in Canada, 1990 to 2017

Black carbon (BC) is a short-lived, small aerosol (or airborne) particle linked to both climate warming and adverse health effects.

As a member of the Arctic Council, Canada has committed to producing an annual inventory of black carbon emissions. The associated report serves to inform Canadians about black carbon emissions and provide valuable information for the development of air quality management strategies.

The data used to quantify black carbon emissions are taken from the Air Pollutant Emission Inventory, specifically fine particulate matter (PM_2.5) emissions from combustion-related sources, such as transportation and mobile equipment and home firewood burning.

According to Canada’s 2019 Black Carbon Emission Inventory the following trends were observed (see figure 16):

• In 2017, approximately 36 kilotonnes (kt) of black carbon were emitted from human activities.
• Transportation and mobile equipment, and home firewood burning are the largest sources of black carbon, accounting for 20 kt (54%) and 12 kt (32%) respectively, of total emissions in 2017.
• Since 2013, black carbon emissions have decreased by 8.0 kt (18%). This overall decrease is attributed to declining emissions from transportation and mobile equipment, consistent with observed downward trends in emissions of fine particulate matter (upon which black carbon estimates are based).

Figure 16. Canada’s black carbon emissions trends, 2013 to 2017

Facility Greenhouse Gas Emissions Overview

In 2017, 1622 facilities reported their greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, totalling 292 megatonnes (Mt) of carbon dioxide equivalent (CO₂ eq). The 2017 reporting cycle marks the first year of the expansion to the federal GHG reporting program (GHGRP) - the reporting threshold was lowered to 10 kilotonnes (kt) CO₂ eq and certain facilities in targeted sectors were also required to provide additional data. CO₂ represented the majority (93%) of the total reported emissions in 2017, while methane (CH₄) and nitrous oxide (N₂O) emissions contributed 6% and 1%, respectively.

The indicator for greenhouse gas emissions from large facilities provides consistent information on emissions from the largest emitting facilities in Canada and is published annually.

Figure 17. Greenhouse gas emissions in 2017 from large facilities

The latest indicator, based on data reported to the GHG Reporting Program, shows that:

• 292 megatonnes (Mt) of GHGs in carbon dioxide equivalent (CO₂ eq) were emitted in 2017 by 1622 facilities reporting to the GHG Reporting Program
• emissions from the reporting facilities account for 41% of Canada's total GHG emissions in 2017

National Greenhouse Gas Inventory

As a signatory to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), Canada is obligated to prepare and submit an annual national greenhouse gas (GHG) inventory covering anthropogenic emissions by sources and removals by sinks. ECCC is responsible for preparing Canada’s official national inventory with input from numerous experts and scientists across Canada. The National Inventory Report (NIR) contains Canada’s annual GHG emission estimates dating back to 1990. In addition to providing GHG emission data by mandatory reporting categories, the NIR also presents emission data by Canadian economic sectors, which better support policy analysis and development.

The NIR, along with the Common Reporting Format (CRF) tables, comprise Canada’s inventory submission to the UNFCCC and are prepared in accordance with the UNFCCC Reporting Guidelines on annual inventories.

The National GHG Inventory shows that:

• Canada's total GHG emissions in 2017 were 716 megatonnes (Mt) of carbon dioxide equivalent (CO₂ eq), 18% (114 Mt CO₂ eq) above the 1990 emissions of 602 Mt CO₂ eq and a net decrease of 15 Mt CO₂ eq or 2.0% from 2005 emissions.
• Emission trends since 2005 continue to reflect emission increases in the oil and gas and transportation sectors, which are being more than offset by decreases in other sectors, notably electricity and heavy industry. The emission increases were driven by growth in oil and gas extraction as well as the number of light-duty gasoline trucks and heavy-duty diesel vehicles in operation. The emission decreases were largely driven by decreases in electricity generation using coal and oil.

Figure 18. Canada’s greenhouse gas emissions trend, 1990 to 2017

Further information on the National GHG Inventory is available online.

Please note that inventories mentioned above are available on the departmental data catalogue and the Open Data Portal.

3.3 Canadian Environmental Sustainability Indicators

The Canadian Environmental Sustainability Indicators (CESI) program reports on key environmental sustainability issues including climate change, air quality, water quality and availability, wildlife, biodiversity, habitat, pollution, waste and toxic substances. It is designed to convey the state of Canada’s environment, including historical trends, in a straightforward and transparent manner. CESI is used to inform citizens, Parliamentarians, policy makers and researchers with comprehensive, unbiased and authoritative environmental information. The CESI program responds to ECCC's commitments under CEPA and the Department of the Environment Act to report to Canadians on the state of the environment and is the prime instrument to measure progress of the Federal Sustainable Development Strategy.

ECCC prepares the indicators through close collaboration with science and data experts across the federal government, including Health Canada, Statistics Canada, Natural Resources Canada, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, and Fisheries and Oceans Canada, as well as relevant provincial and territorial counterparts. The data used to calculate indicators originate from a variety of sources, including surveys, measurement networks and other research initiatives that are expected to be maintained and updated for the foreseeable future.

The indicators are published on the CESI website showing national and regional results along with the methodology explaining each indicator and links to related socio-economic issues and information. CESI also has an interactive map that enables the user to quickly explore Canada's local and regional environmental indicators.