Aluminium and alumina sector: environmental performance agreement overview
This environmental performance agreement is in effect from November 13, 2017 to December 31, 2025.
Objective
The objective of this agreement will be to implement the base level industrial emissions requirements (BLIERs) developed for the aluminium and alumina sector.
Signatories
This agreement has been negotiated between:
- Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC)
- the Aluminium Association of Canada
- Rio Tinto Alcan inc.
- Alcoa-Lauralco Management co., Alcoa Canada cie, and Aluminerie de Bécancour inc.
- Aluminerie Alouette inc.
Key requirements
The participating companies agree to:
- Achieve and maintain the BLIERs for emissions of sulphur dioxide (SO2), total particulate matter (TPM), fine particulate matter (PM2.5) and polycyclic aromatics hydrocarbons (PAH), including the development of a SO2 action plan and data reporting and the implementation of the PM2.5 code of practice
- Participate in the development of a quantitative PM2.5 target based on the PM2.5 sampling and monitoring program
- For the purposes of continuous improvement, establish a working relationship that will facilitate the exchange of information and knowledge regarding atmospheric emissions, including emission sources, emissions reduction and methods for sampling and analysis
Deadlines
| Type of reports | Deadline |
|---|---|
| Annual report | June 30 (each calendar year of this agreement, starting in 2018) |
| ECCC public reporting | Annually |
Where to submit
All annual reports are to be submitted electronically to ec.epa-epe.ec@canada.ca.
Performance results
All the companies submitted their annual report by the June 30, 2018, deadline. Reports indicate that all companies met their emissions targets for PAH, TPM, PM2.5 and SO2 for 2017. The PM2.5 working group was created and is composed of industries, the aluminium association, ECCC and province representatives. We participated in the first meeting held on October 25, 2018.
Verification results
We received and verified the annual reports, which include PAH, TPM, PM2.5 and sulfur content in fuel data. Based on insight from the data received, we will make modification to the reporting template. These modifications are intended to improve next year’s reporting.
Background information
Federal, provincial and territorial environment ministers are taking action to better protect human health and the environment by endorsing and implementing the air quality management system. It includes:
- Canadian ambient air quality standards for fine particulate matter, ground-level ozone and SO2
- BLIERs
- local air zone management by the provincial/territorial jurisdictions
Summary of instruments to implement BLIERs
The Government of Canada led a federal, provincial and territorial consensus process with stakeholder involvement to complete the development of BLIERs. For the aluminium and alumina sector, quantitative BLIERs were developed for TPM, PAHs and SO2 and qualitative BLIERs were developed for PM2.5 and SO2.
Response to comments
A draft agreement was posted for public consultation on the Government of Canada's environmental performance agreements website for 60 days. Comments were received from industrial stakeholders. These comments were taken into consideration when finalizing this agreement. In response to comments, text was added to the annex of this agreement to clarify the requirements for minimum sampling frequency in order to harmonize with the provincial jurisdiction.
Related information
Code of practice to reduce emissions of PM2.5 from the primary aluminium sector
Contact us
Mining and Processing Division
Environment and Climate Change Canada
351 St-Joseph Boulevard
Gatineau QC K1A 0H3
Email: ec.mmp-tmm.ec@canada.ca
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