2010 Progress Report - International Joint Commission

Progress Report 2010
SECTION 1
Commitments
Acid Rain Annex
Overview
The Acid Rain Annex to the 1991 Air Quality Agreement established commitments
for both countries to reduce the emissions of sulphur dioxide and nitrogen oxides,
the primary precursors to acid rain. The commitments include prevention of air
quality deterioration, visibility protection, and continuous emissions monitoring. Both
countries have been successful in reducing the impact of acid rain on each side of
the border. However, despite these achievements, studies in each country indicate
that although some damaged ecosystems are showing signs of recovery, further
efforts are necessary to restore these ecosystems to their pre-acidifi ed conditions.
Key Commitments and Progress: Sulphur Dioxide Emission Reductions
For more than a decade, Canada has
steadily reduced sulphur dioxide (SO 2
)
emissions, through the implementation
of the Canada-Wide Acid Rain Strategy
for Post-2000. The strategy serves as
the framework for addressing the remaining acid rain
problem in eastern Canada and ensuring that new
acid rain problems do not occur elsewhere in Canada.
CANADA
In 2008, Canada’s total SO 2
emissions were 1.7 million
tonnes, or about 47% below the national cap of
3.2 million tonnes 1 . This represents more than a 63%
reduction from Canada’s total SO 2
emissions in 1980
and a 46% decrease from the 1990 emission level
(see Figure 1). This overall reduction in national SO 2
emission levels can be attributed to the SO 2
emission
reductions undertaken by the four eastern provinces
(New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Quebec and Ontario)
targeted by the Acid Rain Strategy.
1
One tonne is equal to 1.1 short tons.
4