Aluminium and alumina sector: environmental performance agreement overview
This environmental performance agreement (the agreement) is in effect from November 13, 2017 to December 31, 2025.
Objective
The objective of the agreement will be to implement the base level industrial emissions requirements (BLIERs) developed for the aluminium and alumina sector.
Signatories
The 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.; and 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 the 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.
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 (AQMS). The AQMS includes Canadian ambient air quality standards for fine particulate matter, ground-level ozone and SO2, base level industrial emissions requirements (BLIERs) and local air zone management by the provincial/territorial jurisdictions.
Summary of ECCC instruments used to implement
Environment and Climate Change 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
The 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 the agreements. In response to comments, text was added to the annex of the 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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