Chemical industry - is meeting goal to reduce VOC emissions

In his December 2008 report, commissioner of the environment and sustainable development Scott Vaughn examined how the federal government manages and controls air emissions. Specifically, he evaluated four different approaches used by Environment Canada to reduce emissions.

Included in these four approaches is an agreement with the Canadian Chemical Producers' Association (CCPA). The agreement takes the form of a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the governments of Canada, Ontario and Alberta for a 25% reduction in the emission of volatile organic compounds between 2001 and 2005.

The report drew favorable conclusions regarding the MOU. "The agreement met many of the requirements for a voluntary agreement: it set clearly defined objectives and targets, and provided for the reporting of results. Data from Environment Canada and the Association show success in meeting the agreement's target of a 25% reduction in emissions for volatile organic compounds by the end of 2002."

The MOU was verified in a number of ways. First, the agreement included outside stakeholders, including representatives from Pollution Probe and STOP, a Montreal-based environmental group. This group reviews the data, the actions and technologies behind the data and reviews the results against the targets that were set.

In addition, CCPA and its members use a public-peer verification protocol which is updated every three years with new areas of focus. Verification teams consisting of advocates, industry experts and neighbors, visit every member company immediately following its three year code implementation period to ensure that the ethic and all the code systems are in place.

Every three years, repeat visits by the verification team emphasize performance, ascertaining that management systems are delivering the results expected by the public. Compared to other approaches, only Responsible Care companies can claim to have the combination of a structured, codes-based initiative, public and peer verification and stakeholder input. The CCPA believes governments at all levels are missing the opportunity to encourage initiatives like Responsible Care by working with business associations and. companies to improve approaches like the ones reviewed by the Auditor General. Unlike the EPA in the U.S., Canada does not have a credible environmental leadership program that recognizes sustainability leaders.

The CCPA believes governments at all levels are missing the opportunity to encourage initiatives like Responsible Care by working with business associations and .companies to improve approaches like the ones reviewed by the Auditor General. Unlike the EPA in the U.S., Canada does not have a credible environmental leadership program that recognizes sustainability leaders. CCPA president Richard Paton said: "These agreements and leadership initiatives can produce enormous progress at very low cost to government with all the required accountability and transparency required for public support. I am very pleased to see the Commissioner reviewing these initiatives for their effectiveness."

© Copyright Camford Chemical Report. Reprinted with permission. Volume 41, Number 10. March 16, 2009