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Air Quality/Climate Change
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Low Carbon Fuel
Standards for Canada
March 2009.
On June 3–4, 2008, Pollution Probe hosted a National
Conference on Low Carbon Fuel Standards for Canada. This conference
constituted Pollution Probe’s initial work on the issue of low carbon
fuel standards and how they can be applicable in a Canadian context,
particularly as province-led measures. This report is designed to
capture the essence of the presentations and discussions that occurred
during the conference.
Click here to
download the proceedings.
Vehicle Fuel Efficiency Ranking and
Labelling:
A Report of
the Pollution Probe Workshop to Scope Systems for Identifying and
Labelling Light-Duty Vehicles According to Fuel Efficiency and Emissions
Performance
May 2008
Pollution Probe is pleased to publish this report summarizing the
presentations and discussions of the workshop on Vehicle Fuel Efficiency
Ranking and Labelling, held in January 2008.
Download
the report in PDF format (267KB)
Environmental
Non-Government Organization (ENGO) Delegate Consolidated Report on the
Development of Canada’s Motor Vehicle Fuel Consumption Regulations
March 2008
This
report presents the views of ENGO delegates to Transport Canada's Motor
Vehicle Fuel Consumption Regulations Consultations on the important
topic of regulating fuel consumption levels of new motor vehicles in
Canada.
Download
the report in PDF format (267KB)
A Strong Canadian Auto Industry in a
Fuel Efficient Future:
A commentary
on automotive industry policy in the context of climate change, vehicle
fuel efficiency regulations and carbon-constrained markets
December 2007
This commentary begins with a
discussion of why fuel efficiency standards are needed and why
governments around the world are implementing regulations. Aspects of
the auto manufacturing industry and the consumer automobile market in
Canada are then presented, followed by a discussion of how industry and
market policies could be aligned to benefit the auto sector, consumers
and the environment.
Download
the report in PDF format (267KB)
A Global Survey of Highly Fuel
Efficient, Low Greenhouse Gas Emitting Vehicles
December 2007
This report summarizes the current
state of fuel efficiency and greenhouse gas emissions standards for
vehicles sold in North America, Europe, Japan and China, and lists the
top-performing vehicles currently available in these jurisdictions.
Download the report in
PDF format (4MB)
Download the backgrounder (26KB)
Minutes of the Expert Meeting on
Vehicle Fuel Efficiency Standards for Canada
May 2007
On March 14, 2007 in Toronto, Pollution
Probe convened a meeting of top experts and researchers on vehicle
technology and fuel efficiency policy. The objectives of the meeting were to
identify the most effective options for structuring a fuel efficiency
standard for Canada, the main areas of research required for the development
of a standard, and the complementary measures that round out Canada's
policies on reducing overall vehicle fuel consumption and greenhouse gas
emissions.
Download
the document in PDF format (85KB)
Driving Towards a Cleaner Environment
- A Healthier Future
November 2006
The Canadian Automobile Association and
Pollution Probe have released this report in order to expand on the
three-point Eco-Mobility Plan for Canadians, which focuses on
preserving the benefits of individual mobility while contributing to a
healthier environment.
Download the report in PDF format (572KB)
The
Acid Rain Primer
October 2006
Pollution Probe is pleased to publish
this second edition of the Acid Rain Primer. The first edition was
published in 2000. This edition contains a more in-depth description of
the science of acid rain and the policy and regulatory history of this
fascinating environmental and health issue.
Download The Acid
Rain Primer (2.63MB)
Version
française (8MB)
A
Guide to Climate Change for Small- to Medium-sized Enterprises
October 2006
The Canadian Chamber of Commerce and Pollution Probe are pleased to
publish A Guide to Climate Change for Small- to Medium-sized
Enterprises.
We believe that a thoughtful approach by small- to medium-sized
enterprises (SMEs) to dealing with climate change can result in economic
benefits through cost savings and enhanced markets, while protecting
against economic costs and damages to business that may result from
climate instability and global warming.
SMEs can help in the fight against climate change, to the benefit of
people and ecosystems around the globe, and they can pursue new business
opportunities in the challenging times to come.
Guide
des changements climatiques pour les petites et moyennes entreprises (PME)
1.26MB
Order a copy of this
report (French and english available)
“Mainstreaming Climate Change in Drinking Water Source Protection
Planning in Ontario”
March 2006
This report focuses on ways in which climate change must be built into -
or mainstreamed in - source protection planning in Ontario.
For non-technical readers, the report provides an overview of current
projections of climate change in Ontario, highlights expected impacts on
water resources, and draws attention to broad opportunities to
mainstream climate change in source protection planning. For technical
specialists, the report identifies specific opportunities to build
climate change into watershed characterizations and water budgets, and,
through a technical appendix, offers specific advice for building
climate change into hydrological models pertinent to source protection
planning in Ontario.
Download the report in PDF format (965KB)
Complementary Measures:
A Report of the Pollution Probe Workshop to Scope Measures that Promote
and Encourage Consumer Demand for More Fuel Efficient Vehicles
December 2005
Pollution Probe is pleased to publish this
report summarizing the presentations and discussions of the workshop on
Complementary Measures, held in June 2005.
Governments and industry around the world
are faced with the challenge of rising greenhouse gas emissions from the
transportation sector. In order to address this issue, in part, the
Canadian government and auto industry signed a Memorandum of
Understanding (MOU) to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from the
light-duty vehicle fleet by 5.3 megatonnes by 2010. The goal of the
workshop was to scope measures that would be complementary to government
and industry efforts, such as the MOU, by shifting consumer demand
toward more fuel-efficient vehicles in order to achieve greater
greenhouse gas emissions reductions from the light-duty vehicle fleet.
Download the Report (192KB)
Policy Analysis Tools
for Air Quality and Health:
Report from the May 19, 2005 Workshop
August 2005
On May 19, 2005, the workshop "Policy
Analysis for Air Quality and Health" was held in Toronto, Ontario. The
workshop gathered expert stakeholders from a variety of backgrounds. The
workshop asked these experts to consider three questions:
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What is the public health significance
of air pollution?
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Are there available models and
analyses to inform policy at some level?
-
What are the key policy questions that
should be addressed by models and analyses?
Download the Report (2.7MB)
Questions
and Answers: Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Automobile Fuel Efficiency.
The
following is a quick Q & A for those interested in the basic issues
related to automobile fuel efficiency and greenhouse gas emissions.
Download the Q&A (115KB)
Greenhouse
Gas Emissions And Vehicle Fuel Efficiency Standards For Canada
February 2005
This report presents background information and
options for the development of a greenhouse gas emissions and related
vehicle fuel efficiency standard for Canada. It is based on extensive
research and critical review by experts in Canada and the United States.
It is designed to serve as a resource for the development of a standard
for Canada. It is not a prescriptive document; rather it provides
background information on standards for reducing vehicle GHG emissions and
increasing fuel efficiency and presents the options and issues to be
addressed in developing a new and effective standard.
Download
this report (3.6 MB)
Moving
Together Towards a Healthier and More Sustainable Future: A Report from
the Transportation, Air Issues and Human Health Conference
October 2004
This report is a summary of Pollution Probe and York Centre for Applied
Sustainability's April 2003 conference Transportation, Air Issues and
Human Health. The objectives of the conference were to present the
latest science on the impacts that air pollution has on Canadian's health;
review Canada's air quality and climate change achievements and
commitments; and, to discuss new initiatives to achieve these commitments
and reduce the harmful effects of air pollution from transportation in
urban areas. (80 pages)
Download
this report (1MB)
Primer on
Climate Change and Human Health
April 2004
The Primer describes the potential effects that a warmer and more variable
climate can have on our health. It discusses the climate change impacts
that are expected to occur across Canada, as well as some of the actions
being taken by various levels of government to reduce greenhouse gas
emissions and to help Canadians adapt to a change climate. Helpful tips
are given on what you can do to reduce emissions of greenhouse gases and
ways in which you can protect yourself from harmful effects.
Download English version of this report in PDF format (2.30MB)
Download French version of
this report in PDF format (1.9MB)
Order
a copy of this report (english version only).
Air, Water and
Soil Quality: Issue Paper No. 2
September 2003
This is the second in a series of nine issue papers commissioned by the Neptis
Foundation for consideration by the Central Ontario Smart Growth Panel
established by the Government of Ontario. This paper argues for an
approach to air, water, and soil conservation that goes beyond "no
net loss" of quality or function to "net gain". That is,
changes in the environment should, over time, bring about improvements in
the quality and function of air, water, and soil in the Central Ontario
Zone. The principle requires monitoring environmental indicators, and the
paper suggests 10 potential indicators that could be used. The paper also
looks at major trends in air, water, and soil quality, their current and
long-term effects, and proposed solutions for each area.
Download
this report (142KB)
NOTE: The entire
series of Smart Growth issue papers can be viewed on the Neptis
Foundation website.
Sulphur
Dioxide and Toxic Metal Emissions from Smelters in Ontario
February
2003
Download
this report (108KB)
Comments to the Ontario Ministry of the Environment on the Clean Air
Action Plan for Industry (EBR Registry Number PA02E0031) (361KB)
Towards an Adaptation
Action Plan: Climate Change and Health in the Toronto-Niagara Region
October 2002
The purpose of this study is to provide decision-makers
with some of the information needed to improve the adaptive capacity of
the health infrastructure in the Toronto-Niagara region in order to deal
effectively with the projected human health effects of climate change. The
authors have undertaken an assessment of the current science regarding
climate change and its potential health effects, as well as the adaptive
capacity of a health care system to handle the increased demand for
services.
Download
this report (331KB)
Order a copy of this report.
The Smog Primer
June 2002
The second in a series of Pollution Probe Primers (see
Acid Rain Primer), the Smog Primer has
been developed to build public understanding of the sources of smog
pollutants, their effects on human health, and the things we can do to
reduce smog pollution and protect ourselves and our children from harm.
Download English version of report (1.9MB)
Download French version of report
(3.2MB)
Order a copy of this
report (english version only)
North
American Workplace-based Trip Reduction Programmes
November
2001
As
part of it's Air Programme mandate, Pollution Probe promotes
workplace-based trip reduction to companies and institutions as a way of
reducing single-occupancy vehicle use. In March 2001, Pollution Probe
contacted 25 institutions and companies (18 American and 7 Canadian) that
had implemented trip reduction programmes at their workplaces. Contact
people at each workplace were telephoned and interviewed about their trip
reduction programme, and their self-reported information was recorded on a
template. This information forms the basis of this report.
Download
this report (286KB)
S.M.A.R.T
Movement: Saving Money and the Air by Reducing Trips
October
2001
The
S-M-A-R-T Movement manual is a simple, clearly organized step-by-step
resource that guides organizations in reducing employee car trips. Our
main message promotes the many benefits of a trip reduction programme to
both employers and employees.
Reducing drive-alone car trips will save money and time, reduce
stress and improve air quality by reducing emissions of pollutants
contributing to climate change and smog. While focusing on ways to change
commuting behaviour, the programme also applies to business workday trips
and personal travel. To help companies implement and promote the programme,
the practical S-M-A-R-T manual explains the steps to get started,
highlights relevant case studies, provides simple ways to track cost and
emission savings and incorporates other useful information.
Download
this report - English version (319KB)
Download
this report - French version (333KB)
Order a copy of this report.
Air
Quality Indices: A Review
October
2001
This
report provides background information that Pollution Probe hopes will
assist in the development of a national Air Quality Index in Canada. It
includes a historical review that explains how the index was devised and modified,
and how it has been used in various parts of Canada. The parallel
development of the US Pollutant Standards Index (PSI) and its successor,
the Air Quality Index (AQI), is also discussed to indicate how a similar
jurisdiction, using a comparable index has gone about the process of
revision to ensure that it remains scientifically accurate and socially
relevant (63 pages).
Download
this report in PDF format (258KB)
Trans-Action
2001: Toward Economic and Environmental Health
January
2001
This report was put together as a result of two simultaneous
Transit Summits which were held in Ottawa and Toronto on April 10, 2000.
Recent public opinion polls indicate that increasing public transit's
share of urban travel, and investment in public transit expansion, have
become key priorities in the minds of urban Canadians. Trans-Action
2001 is intended to serve as a wake-up call and a roadmap for
restoring and enhancing transit in Canada. The report presents the view of
some of the many participants in last year's Ottawa and Toronto events, to
make the case for improving public transit and synthesize the key
recommendations that came out of these Summits (17 pages).
Order a copy of this report.
A
Critical Analysis of Progress Reported by Ontario's Anti-Smog Action
Plan Partnership
October
2000
The objective of this report is
to examine the actual progress being made to reduce smog-causing emissions
in Ontario, in light of the Ministry of the Environment's recently
released progress report on Ontario's Anti-Smog Action Plan (ASAP).
Pollution Probe has reviewed this report and does not believe that it
accurately portrays ASAP's emission reduction initiatives, but in fact
significantly overstates the progress made to date (21 pages).
Order a copy of this report.
The
Acid Rain Primer
June
2000
Although we haven't heard about it for
quite a while, the acid rain problem is far from being solved. There is
much work to be done, and Canadians need to be reacquainted with the issue
of acid rain and what is at stake. As we enter the new millennium, acid
rain is a good news, bad news story. The good news is that, over the past
several years, Canada has met all of its goals in reducing emissions of
sulphur dioxide, a key cause of acid rain. Even better, some lakes have
started to show signs of recovery. The bad news is that, in spite of this
good work, we have found that our original reduction goals were not tough
enough to protect some areas of Canada from acid rain, especially parts of
Ontario and Quebec and much of the Atlantic provinces. The "Acid Rain
Primer" covers many aspects of the problem including US and Canadian
policies, area monitoring, as well as current and future situations in
Canada (42 pages).
Order a copy of this report.
The Relative Magnitude of the Impacts
and Effects of GHG - Related Emission Reductions
1999
This paper provides a preliminary assessment of
our current state-of-knowledge regarding the co-benefits associated with
climate change mitigation. The assessment focuses upon the relative
magnitude of the impacts and effects from GHG-related emission reductions.
Order a copy of this report.
An
Assessment of Emissions Trading for NOx and VOCs
February 1999
This report provides an introduction to emissions trading - an
economic policy instrument that has been used in the United States to
address environmental pollution. The intent of the report is to explain
the fundamental concepts involved in emissions trading programs; highlight
the strengths and weaknesses of the emissions trading approach; explore
stakeholder perceptions; and review experiences and activity to date with
trading programs. To this end, six emissions trading programs have been
selected and are examined in detail. Emissions trading programs have been
selected from Michigan, Connecticut, Los Angeles, New Jersey,
Massachusetts, and Illinois, all of which address nitrogen oxides (NOx)
and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) - two precursors of ozone and smog
formation (125 pages).
The
Air Children Breathe: The Effects on Their Health
Conference
Proceedings
October 1998
The record of a two-day
conference at which leading Canadian health experts defined the
environmental problems affecting children's respiratory health and
developed a set of 13 key recommendations in the areas of professional
involvement, policy development and community action (128
pages).
Emissions
Trading and Public Policy
Conference
Proceedings
July 1998
This conference held June
5 and 6, 1997 in Toronto brought together experts on
existing emissions trading systems in the U.S. with senior Canadian
policy-makers and other interested stakeholders to investigate the
potential benefits and concerns with instituting emissions trading in this
country. Includes five key recommendations for any plan to proceed with
emissions trading (143 pages).
Trans-Action
'98: An Action Plan for a Modal Shift to Transit in the Greater Toronto
Area.
June 1998
A detailed plan, including ten specific recommended actions for
various levels of government, transit systems, corporations and advocacy
organizations, to accomplish a shift from the car to other more
sustainable forms of transit (26
pages).
Order a copy of this report.
Vehicle
Inspection and Maintenance: What It Is and Why We Need It.
June 1998
A primer on Vehicle I/M programmes, covering the need for such
programmes based on smog research, the design of effective programmes in
several jurisdictions and the costs and benefits that Vehicle I/M can
bring. A detailed appendix sets out the Ontario Ministry of the
Environment's plan for its Drive Clean programme (41
pages).
Order a copy of this report.
Climate
Variability, Atmospheric Change and Human Health
Conference Proceedings
Published 1997
Proceedings from the Pollution Probe conference held in November
1996, which brought together 160 experts and stakeholders to share
information and raise awareness about the implications of climate change.
A review of the status of science, a discussion of existing policies and
an identification of gaps in our knowledge is included in this report (121
pages).
Order a copy of this report.
Clearing
the Air: Transportation, Air Quality and Human Health
Conference
Proceedings
Published 1997
Proceedings from the Pollution
Probe/York Centre for Applied Sustainability conference held April 1996 in
Toronto, Ontario. This report reviews current research on the
epidemiological effects of transportation-related air pollution, as well
as examining the factors that are contributing to air pollution from
transportation activities (140
pages).
Let's
Make One Thing Perfectly Clear: Reducing Transportation Emissions to
Reduce Ontario Smog
Published 1994.
This report outlines recommendations to the federal and provincial
governments as steps toward improving Ontario's air. Emphasis is on the
transportation sector, which is largely responsible for Ontario's chronic
smog problem (18 pages).
Behind
the Smokescreen: The State of Canada's Air
Published 1992
An older one, but still relevant, this report contains many disturbing
findings about Canadian air quality, and about the neglect of this vital
resource (88 pages).
Order a copy of this report.
The
Costs of the Car
Published
1991
A preliminary study of the environmental and social costs associated with
private car use in Ontario. Analysis of the costs not usually included in
evaluating the subsidization of the automobile, such as land use, human
health, environmental, social and economic (69 pages).
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