EVOLUTION

REFINERY EMISSION REDUCTIONS SINCE 2003
47 %
41 %
48 %
Sulphur oxide
(SO X
)
Nitrogen oxide
(NO X
)
Volatile organic compounds
(VOCs)
Source: Environment Canada NPRI, 2014
Clearing the air together
The AQA findings align with those of Environment Canada, as seen
in the department’s on-road emission inventories (charts, page 33).
Tracking and projecting the total emissions for light- and heavy-duty
vehicles from 1985 to 2030, the inventories provide clear evidence
of sustained success in improving the environmental performance
of fuels and vehicles.
“Overall, air quality has improved significantly over
the past 10 years, especially for nitrogen dioxide
(NO 2
), sulphur dioxide (SO 2
) and carbon monoxide
(CO)—pollutants emitted by vehicles and industry…”
––
Air Quality in Ontario, 2013 Report,
Ontario Ministry of the Environment
and Climate Change
Progress on two fronts
On one front, Canada’s transportation fuel and vehicle manufacturing
industries have worked for decades to continually improve vehicle
efficiency and the quality of fuels. Now, Tier 3 fuel and vehicle
regulations set ambitious new standards that will deliver unprecedented
emissions reductions.
Once in full force with the 2025 vehicle model year, the new standards
will contribute to reductions in smog-forming air pollutant emissions
of up to 80 percent compared to Tier 2 levels.
“The Tier 3 standards are the most stringent
smog-related emission standards in the world.”
––
Mark Nantais, President, Canadian Vehicle Manufacturers’ Association
Tier 2 standards resulted in dramatic reductions to sulphur emissions
beginning in the 2005 model year. In fact, a 2005 or newer vehicle
produces 90 percent less smog-forming emissions than a 1993 model.
34 Canadian Fuels Association | Perspectives 2015