The influence of ship emissions on air quality in Mexico and the potential improvements resulting from the ratification of Annex VI of the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (Marpol Convention) and the establishment of a Mexican emission control area (ECA) have been evaluated using the WRF-Chem air quality model. The model’s […]
This guidance document provides a framework for Mexico’s environment ministry, the Secretaría de Medio Ambiente y Recursos Naturales (Semarnat), to develop marine vessel (ship) emissions inventories based on local data that accurately represent all domestic and international marine vessel traffic occurring in Mexico’s territorial waters. The methodology recommended in this document quantifies fuel usage and emissions, and accounts for improvements in fuel efficiency and reduced ship emissions through the use of low sulfur fuels, add-on controls, and operational changes such as slow steaming.
The present update of Mexico’s port emissions estimates was derived from a joint effort between the Secretaría de Medio Ambiente y Recursos Naturales (Semarnat) and Eastern Research Group, Inc. (ERG), in the context of a project undertaken by the Commission for Environmental Cooperation (CEC).
This document presents the key premises and results of the fuel supply and cost analysis, in support of Mexico’s submission of an Emission Control Area (ECA) designation proposal to the International Maritime Organization (IMO), under Annex VI of the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (Marpol Convention).
This edition of Taking Stock examines the 2013 pollutant data reported by industrial facilities in Canada, Mexico and the United States to their national pollutant release and transfer registers (PRTRs). The goal of the publication is to enhance the understanding of the sources, locations and handling of industrial substances to promote pollution prevention and support the integration of PRTR data into an overarching framework for managing pollutants in North America.
Persistent, bioaccumulative, and toxic (PBT) substances may occur at a global scale, which raises concerns for environmental and human health. Several perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) have been shown to exhibit such PBT properties, with potential for transboundary and long-range transport. Perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) and perfluorooctanoate (PFOA) are two of the most studied PFASs.
This report presents an assessment of the available information on trade in mercury, mercury compounds, and certain mercury-added products among Canada, Mexico and the United States, and on primary and byproduct mercury production in North America. It describes the available databases, responsible agencies, and procedures for generating and managing the data. By identifying areas where there are gaps and limitations in available mercury trade statistics, it offers an opportunity for government officials in Canada, Mexico and the United States to improve the accuracy of mercury trade data generated within the three countries, thus allowing better tracking of these data over time.
This report describes the scope, methods, data, and results of a comprehensive quantitative analysis of transboundary flows of used electronics between and from North American countries. It has been prepared for the NAFTA Commission for Environmental Cooperation (CEC) with financial support from Canada, Mexico, and the United States and is part of a multiphase effort […]
The accomplishments of the sixteen projects implemented in 2013–2014 are summarized in this booklet. Detailed project summaries and budgets are available in the CEC’s Operational Plan 2013–2014. You can also consult the CEC’s Operational Plan 2011–2012, as well as its Strategic Plan for 2010–2015.
Increased traffic at North American land ports of entry (POEs) associated with transportation of goods affects air quality in border communities and beyond. In its 2013–2014 Operational Plan, the Commission for Environmental Cooperation (CEC) has provided support for researching and developing viable, integrated options for the implementation of vehicle emission-reduction mechanisms at selected land POEs.
Flame retardants are chemical compounds that exhibit properties that prevent or delay the development of flames in items manufactured for use in indoor settings. These chemical compounds can either chemically react or physically bind to the components of manufactured items, such as plastics, textiles, and coatings—which pose a risk of spreading flames.
Canada, Mexico, and the United States, in their roles as Parties to the Commission for Environmental Cooperation (CEC), have taken a common interest in carrying out a case study to better understand the presence of 16 emerging flame retardants in consumer products. As a result, a project entitled Enhancing Trilateral Understanding of Flame Retardants and Their Use in Manufactured Items (CEC 2014) is being supported under the CEC’s Operational Plan 2013–2014, through a project team consisting of representative members from the CEC Secretariat, Health Canada (HC), Environment Canada (EC), Instituto Nacional de Ecología y Cambio Climático (INECC) under the Secretaría de Medio Ambiente y Recursos Naturales (Semarnat), and the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
