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Air and Transportation Programme

Air

When air is polluted the health of people and the quality of the environment suffers. Air pollution is linked to cardiac and respiratory distress in tens of thousands of Canadians and what is estimated to be at least 5,000 premature deaths every year. Pollution Probe has earned a reputation as a leader in the fight against smog, air toxics and acid rain.

Pollution Probe’s Air Programme focuses on:

• Tougher controls on smog
• Accurate and timely reporting of emissions data
• Reducing acid gas emissions
• Improving public transit
• Advocating for cleaner vehicles and fuels

Pollution Probe’s annual Clean Air Campaign and Commute™ is an important part of the public education and awareness component of Pollution Probe’s comprehensive air programme. Find out more about the 2011 Clean Air Campaign & Commute™.

Other air initiatives include working to improve Ontario’s Drive Clean Program, and participating on the Executive Committee and sub-committees of Ontario’s Anti-Smog Action Plan.

Pollution Probe is also co-lead on the Ontario Chapter of the Canadian Climate Change Impacts and Adaptation Assessment.

Pollution Probe has also done significant research on the use of emissions trading as a tool to facilitate more cost-effective reductions in air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions.

Transportation

The transportation sector is responsible for about one-quarter of Canada’s greenhouse gas emissions, which makes it critical that we make substantial reductions in this sector. Pollution Probe has several activities directed towards reducing the use of motor vehicles and improving their fuel efficiency. This can have the added benefit of reducing smog pollutants and mercury.

The Motor Vehicle Fuel Efficiency Project is working towards the establishment of national standards for motor vehicle fuel efficiency and has produced a comprehensive report on the subject, Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Vehicle Fuel Efficiency Standards for Canada. Pollution Probe is also working towards the implementation of complementary measures to shift consumer demand towards the purchase of more fuel efficient vehicles, including having conducted a workshop on Complementary Measures.

For further information on transportation-related initiatives, see the Primers on Smog and Mercury.