U.S.–Canada Air Quality Agreement

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The United States 41st President George H.W. Bush (pictured on left) walks alongside Former Canadian Prime Minister Brian Mulroney (pictured on right) years prior to both leaders signing the U.S.- Canada Air Quality Agreement. President George H. W. Bush and Brian Mulroney.jpg
The United States 41st President George H.W. Bush (pictured on left) walks alongside Former Canadian Prime Minister Brian Mulroney (pictured on right) years prior to both leaders signing the U.S.- Canada Air Quality Agreement.

The Air Quality Agreement is an environmental treaty between Canada and the United States. [1] [2] It was signed on 13 March 1991 by Canadian prime minister Brian Mulroney and American President George H. W. Bush and entered into force immediately. [3] It was popularly referred to during its negotiations as the "Acid Rain Treaty", especially in Canada. The treaty aimed at reducing toxic air pollutants primarily responsible for causing acid rain, such as sulfur dioxide () and nitrogen oxide (). [4] Negotiations began in 1986 when Mulroney first discussed the issue with then-president Reagan. Mulroney repeatedly pressed the issue in public meetings with Reagan in 1987 [5] and 1988 [6]

Contents

The Government of the United States of America and the Government of Canada, hereinafter referred to as "the Parties",

Convinced that transboundary air pollution can cause significant harm to natural resources of vital environmental, cultural and economic importance, and to human health in both countries; Desiring that emissions of air pollutants from sources within their countries not result in significant transboundary air pollution; Convinced that transboundary air pollution can effectively be reduced through cooperative or coordinated action providing for controlling emissions of air pollutants in both countries; Recalling the efforts they have made to control air pollution and the improved air quality that has resulted from such efforts in both countries; Intending to address air-related issues of a global nature, such as climate change and stratospheric ozone depletion, in other fora; Reaffirming Principle 21 of the Stockholm Declaration, which provides that "States have, in accordance with the Charter of the United Nations and the principles of international law, the sovereign right to exploit their own resources pursuant to their own environmental policies, and the responsibility to ensure that activities within their jurisdiction or control do not cause damage to the environment of other States or of areas beyond the limits of national jurisdiction";

Noting their tradition of environmental cooperation as reflected in the Boundary Waters Treaty of 1909, the Trail Smelter Arbitration of 1941, the Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement of 1978, as amended, the Memorandum of Intent Concerning Transboundary Air Pollution of 1980, the 1986 Joint Report of the Special Envoys on Acid Rain, as well as the ECE Convention on Long-Range Transboundary Air Pollution of 1979;

Convinced that a healthy environment is essential to assure the well-being of present and future generations in Canada and the United States, as well as of the global community;

Have agreed as follows: ... [7] [8]

The U.S. Canada Air Quality Agreement Overview

In 1991 The United States and Canada signed a bilateral executive agreement aimed at reducing transboundary air pollution referred to as The U.S. Canada Air Quality Agreement (AQA). [9] A bilateral agreement occurs when two parties, in this case two countries, undertake a mutual obligation to fulfill a set goal. Transboundary air pollution occurs when pollution created in one country negatively impacting another country. [10] The bilateral agreement has three main objectives: reducing the impacts of transboundary pollution, prioritizing health and the environment, and corroborating to ensure each country is meeting its air quality standards. [11] By signing the agreement, both countries concur that transboundary pollution could be mitigated through collaboration and cohesive actions. [12] An Air Quality Committee was formed responsible for reporting progress every two years. [12] In 2007, both parties successfully reached their targets outlined in the Acid Rain Annex and the Ozone Annex, demonstrating an overall emissions decrease and effective participation from both parties. [9]

The Acid Rain Annex

The Eastern Canadian Provinces (dark green) were the focal point in Canada's mitigation plan towards minimizing acid rain in the country, and lead to the implementation of the Eastern Canada Acid Rain Program in 1985. The Movie Network Broadcast Area.svg
The Eastern Canadian Provinces (dark green) were the focal point in Canada's mitigation plan towards minimizing acid rain in the country, and lead to the implementation of the Eastern Canada Acid Rain Program in 1985.

The United States-Canada Air Quality Agreement initially prioritized the reduction of acid rain within each country. [13] Established in 1991, the Acid Rain Annex aimed at reducing and , the main contributors of acid rain. The annex includes preventative measures aimed at minimizing declining air quality, visibility impairment, and actively monitoring emissions. [13] Both countries independently sought to mitigate acid rain and its effects. Canada established the Eastern Canada Acid Rain Program in 1985 aimed at decreasing acid rain in Canada’s seven Eastern Provinces by 1994. [14] By 1998 the Canadian Council of Ministers created the “Canada-Wide Acid Rain Strategy for Post 2000” a strategic plan set in place prioritizing human health and protecting sensitive communities affected by acid rain. [14] The plan had four main elements: consistent reports to the public and the Ministers, reducing Sulphur Dioxide in the seven provinces, promoting continuous scientific research and monitoring, and preventive measures for non-affected areas. [14] Canada is more vulnerable than the United States to acid rain, due to its geology and lack of compounds responsible for neutralizing acid deposition. [15] Additionally, attributed to its downward position, Canada endures high levels of air pollution from the United States, with nearly fifty percent of pollution in Canada originating from the United States, further contributing to the formation of acid rain in Canada. [15] The United States, in comparison, has few areas vulnerable to acid rain, with the regions being located mainly in the Northeastern regions near Canada. [15] In 1995 the United States implemented the Acid Rain Program targeted at decreasing Sulphur Dioxide and Nitrogen Oxides. It went on to establish the first cap-and-trade program within the United States, the Program, that set an emissions cap on generating facilities. [16]

The Ozone Annex

The Ozone Annex is a bilateral agreement added to the U.S.-Canada Air Quality Agreement and signed on December 7, 2000. [17] Its purpose is to reduce transboundary pollution that pollutes the tropospheric ozone and creates smog, achieved by implementing air quality regulations and decreasing emissions. Early developments of the Ozone Annex occurred in 1997 after the both parties agreed scientific cooperation was required to address ground-level ozone and particulate matter. [9] The specific pollution targeted by the treaty includes nitrogen oxide and volatile organic compounds, the most contributing factors to the formation of smog. [9] The final draft of the agreement delineates particular areas within the countries where the Ozone Annex would be applied, referred to as the Pollutant Emission Management Area. In the United States this area includes eighteen different states, as well as the District of Colombia, roughly affecting 40% of the American population. [13] In Canada, the annex particularly focused on Southern and Central Ontario and the Southern Quebec region, affecting nearly 50% of the Canada population. [18]

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Acid rain</span> Rain that is unusually acidic

Acid rain is rain or any other form of precipitation that is unusually acidic, meaning that it has elevated levels of hydrogen ions. Most water, including drinking water, has a neutral pH that exists between 6.5 and 8.5, but acid rain has a pH level lower than this and ranges from 4–5 on average. The more acidic the acid rain is, the lower its pH is. Acid rain can have harmful effects on plants, aquatic animals, and infrastructure. Acid rain is caused by emissions of sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxide, which react with the water molecules in the atmosphere to produce acids.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Smog</span> Smoke-like, fog-like air pollutions

Smog, or smoke fog, is a type of intense air pollution. The word "smog" was coined in the early 20th century, and is a portmanteau of the words smoke and fog to refer to smoky fog due to its opacity, and odor. The word was then intended to refer to what was sometimes known as pea soup fog, a familiar and serious problem in London from the 19th century to the mid-20th century, where it was commonly known as a London particular or London fog. This kind of visible air pollution is composed of nitrogen oxides, sulfur oxide, ozone, smoke and other particulates. Man-made smog is derived from coal combustion emissions, vehicular emissions, industrial emissions, forest and agricultural fires and photochemical reactions of these emissions.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Emissions trading</span> Market-based approach used to control pollution

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ground-level ozone</span> Constituent gas of the troposphere

Ground-level ozone (O3), also known as surface-level ozone and tropospheric ozone, is a trace gas in the troposphere (the lowest level of the Earth's atmosphere), with an average concentration of 20–30 parts per billion by volume (ppbv), with close to 100 ppbv in polluted areas. Ozone is also an important constituent of the stratosphere, where the ozone layer (2 to 8 parts per million ozone) exists which is located between 10 and 50 kilometers above the Earth's surface. The troposphere extends from the ground up to a variable height of approximately 14 kilometers above sea level. Ozone is least concentrated in the ground layer (or planetary boundary layer) of the troposphere. Ground-level or tropospheric ozone is created by chemical reactions between NOx gases (oxides of nitrogen produced by combustion) and volatile organic compounds (VOCs). The combination of these chemicals in the presence of sunlight form ozone. Its concentration increases as height above sea level increases, with a maximum concentration at the tropopause. About 90% of total ozone in the atmosphere is in the stratosphere, and 10% is in the troposphere. Although tropospheric ozone is less concentrated than stratospheric ozone, it is of concern because of its health effects. Ozone in the troposphere is considered a greenhouse gas, and may contribute to global warming.

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Air quality index</span> Measure of air pollution

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The Acid Rain Program is a market-based initiative taken by the United States Environmental Protection Agency in an effort to reduce overall atmospheric levels of sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides, which cause acid rain. The program is an implementation of emissions trading that primarily targets coal-burning power plants, allowing them to buy and sell emission permits according to individual needs and costs. In 2011, the trading program that existed since 1995 was supplemented by four separate trading programs under the Cross-State Air Pollution Rule (CSAPR). On August 21, 2012, the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia issued its Opinion and Order in the appeal of the Cross State Air Pollution Rule (CSAPR) for two independent legal reasons. The stay on CSAPR was lifted in October 2014, allowing implementation of the law and its trading programs to begin.

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The 1999 Gothenburg Protocol to Abate Acidification, Eutrophication and Ground-level Ozone is a multi-pollutant protocol designed to reduce acidification, eutrophication and ground-level ozone by setting emissions ceilings for sulphur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, volatile organic compounds and ammonia to be met by 2010. As of August 2014, the Protocol had been ratified by 26 parties, which includes 25 states and the European Union.

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Air pollution in Canada</span> Overview of the air pollution in Canada

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pollution in Canada</span> Overview of pollution in Canada

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Freshwater acidification</span> Acidification of freshwater by rain

Freshwater acidification occurs when acidic inputs enter a body of fresh water through the weathering of rocks, invasion of acidifying gas, or by the reduction of acid anions, like sulfate and nitrate within a lake, pond, or reservoir. Freshwater acidification is primarily caused by sulfur oxides (SOx) and nitrogen oxides (NOx) entering the water from atmospheric depositions and soil leaching. Carbonic acid and dissolved carbon dioxide can also enter freshwaters, in a similar manner associated with runoff, through carbon dioxide-rich soils. Runoff that contains these compounds may incorporate acidifying hydrogen ions and inorganic aluminum, which can be toxic to marine organisms. Acid rain also contributes to freshwater acidification. A well-documented case of freshwater acidification in the Adirondack Lakes, New York, emerged in the 1970s, driven by acid rain from industrial sulfur dioxide (SO₂) and nitrogen oxide (NOₓ) emissions.

Air pollution in Germany has significantly decreased over the past decade. Air pollution occurs when harmful substances are released into the Earth's atmosphere. These pollutants are released through human activity and natural sources. Germany took interest in reducing its greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by switching to renewable energy sources. Renewable energy use rate from 6.3% in 2000 to 34% in 2016. Through the transition to renewable energy sources, some people believe Germany has become the climate change policy leader and renewable energy leader in the European Union (EU) and in the world with ambitious climate change programs, though Germany's CO
2 emissions per capita are in fact among the highest in Europe, almost twice those of e.g. France. The current goal of the German government was approved on 14 November 2016 in the German Climate Action Plan 2050, which outlines measures by which Germany can meet its greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. By 2050, Germany wants to reduce their GHGs by 80 to 95% and by 2030 they want to reduce it by 55%, compared to the EU target of 40%.

References

  1. ↑ "Transboundary air: Canada-US air quality agreement". Government of Canada. 7 September 2005. Retrieved 14 April 2020.
  2. ↑ "Canada-US air quality agreement". Government of Canada. 27 February 2015. Retrieved 14 April 2020.
  3. ↑ "Agreement between the Government of Canada and the Government of the United States of America on Air Quality". Canada Treaty Information. Archived from the original on 3 October 2011. Retrieved 19 May 2011.
  4. ↑ "Canada-United States Air Quality Agreement: overview". Government of Canada. 25 January 2005. Retrieved 3 March 2024.
  5. ↑ Cannon, Lou; Denton, Herbert H. (5 April 1987). "Mulroney Presses Reagan; Canadian Wants Acid Rain Treaty". The Washington Post . p. A15. ProQuest   306886744.
  6. ↑ Shabecoff, Philip (29 April 1988). "Canada Sees Acid-Rain Talks". The New York Times . Retrieved 4 July 2016.
  7. ↑ "Agreement Between the Government of the United States of America and the Government of Canada on Air Quality". United States Environmental Protection Agency. Archived from the original on 16 January 2008. Retrieved 5 July 2016.
  8. ↑ "Agreement Between the Government of Canada and the Government of the United States of America on Air Quality". International Joint Commission. Archived from the original on 22 November 2003. Retrieved 4 July 2016.
  9. 1 2 3 4 "U.S. Canada Air Quality Agreement (AQA)". U.S. Department of State. 29 April 2024.
  10. ↑ Roelofs, Jeffrey L. (1993). "United States Canada Air Quality Agreement". Law Journal Library. 26 (2): 421–454 – via HeinOnline.
  11. ↑ "Canada-United States Air Quality Agreement: overview". www.canada.ca. 25 January 2005. Retrieved 30 April 2024.
  12. 1 2 "Canada-United States Air Quality Agreement". International Joint Commission. 17 July 2018. Retrieved 30 April 2024.
  13. 1 2 3 "Air Quality Agreement Progress Report 2020-2022" (PDF). United States Environmental Protection Agency. 29 April 2024.
  14. 1 2 3 "Reducing acid rain". www.canada.ca. 3 June 2004. Retrieved 29 April 2024.
  15. 1 2 3 Glode, Mark L.; Nelson Glode, Beverly (1993). "Transboundary Pollution: Acid Rain and United States-Canadian Relations". Law Journal Library. 20 (1): 17 – via HeinOnline.
  16. ↑ "Acid Rain Program". www.epa.gov. 21 August 2014. Retrieved 29 April 2024.
  17. ↑ "Canada-United States Air Quality Agreement: overview". www.canada.ca. 25 January 2005. Retrieved 29 April 2024.
  18. ↑ "U.S.-Canada Ozone Annex Negotiations". U.S Department of State Archive. 13 October 2000.
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