Tracking Pollutant Releases and Transfers in North America
Along with the energy, materials and items they produce, North American industries generate pollutants that must be managed to protect human health and the environment. Each year, facilities report the amounts of substances they release to air, water, or land, send to disposal, or transfer for recycling or other management. We integrate and analyze data reported to the Canadian, Mexican and US PRTRs and make them available to the public through Taking Stock Online and the Taking Stock report series.
Tracking progress towards reducing industrial pollution to meet the UN SDGs
Countries are taking action against toxic chemicals emitted by industrial facilities to air, water and land. How can countries track progress towards this target? A recent OECD report looks at Pollutant Release and Transfer Register (PRTR) data as a means to track chemical pollution to meet the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). PRTRs are important tools that enhance the transparency and accountability of industry and measure progress towards SDG target 12.4.
Latest CEC Taking Stock report
Taking Stock, Volume 16 reveals the fate of the 5 billion kg of pollutants released or transferred in Canada, Mexico and the United States every year! Find out more about industrial pollution, and where it ends up, in our latest report featuring a special analysis of the 335 million kg transferred off-site for disposal each year. Our flagship report presents and analyzes PRTR data reported by approximately 24,000 industrial facilities across North America.
Tools and Resources
Taking Stock Volume 16
North American Pollutant Releases and Transfers, with a feature analysis of off-site transfers to disposal
Mining Sector: Interactive Infographic
North American industry sectors produce the energy, materials and items that we use every day. They also generate pollutants that must be managed.
North American Environmental Atlas
The North American Environmental Atlas seamlessly assembles accurate cartographic data including maps, documentation, and interactive map layers at a scale of 1:10,000,000.
Taking Stock Online
Taking Stock Online allows users to explore North American Pollutant Release and Transfer Register (PRTR) data through interactive tools and comprehensive reports.
Publications
137 pages March 27, 2023
Taking Stock 16
North American PRTR data show that total releases and transfers reported by facilities across the...
7 pages July 16, 2019
Long-term Impact Assessment of the North American Pollutant Release and Transfer Register Initiative (1995–2015)
The North American Pollutant Release and Transfer Register (NAPRTR) Initiative originates from a commitment of...
154 pages April 20, 2018
Taking Stock 15
This year’s report also features a special analysis of reporting from the North American mining...
140 pages October 1, 2014
Taking Stock 14
This year’s edition places additional emphasis on reported releases to air and water, particularly of...
82 pages March 28, 2011
Taking Stock 13
Feature Analysis: Pollutant Releases to Surface Waters. This edition of Taking Stock presents an overview...
