Protecting the Canadian Arctic and northern communities from shipping emissions
The Canadian Arctic is an ecologically sensitive and culturally significant part of Canada’s landscape. Making up almost 40% of our total land area, it’s home to diverse communities, and rich plant and animal life.
But due to climate change, the Arctic is also warming at around three times the global rate.
Shipping activity in Canada’s Arctic increased by around 70% and fuel consumption more than doubled from 2010 to 2019. Arctic communities rely on marine shipping for essential goods, such as food, fuel and household items. The Canadian economy relies on marine shipping to transport natural resources from the Arctic to market.
This increase in marine traffic has contributed to higher levels of air pollution and climate warming emissions in the region, putting a strain on human health and the environment, especially for marginalized communities.
How is Canada addressing these issues?
In March, Canada’s proposal to designate an Emission Control Area (ECA) in Canadian Arctic waters was approved by the International Maritime Organization’s Marine Environment Protection Committee, paving the way for it to be implemented in the coming years.
The Canadian Arctic ECA will reduce air pollution from shipping. It will also help protect the unique ecosystem of the Arctic, improve human health by reducing respiratory and cardiovascular diseases, and help mitigate the impacts of climate change.
The Canadian Arctic ECA will provide similar air pollutant protections in the Arctic as those in place since 2013 on the east and west coasts of Canada and the United States under the North American Emission Control Area. This policy has been proven to reduce emissions and improve air quality in port cities.
What is an Emission Control Area?
An Emission Control Area (ECA) is a designated sea area where stricter controls are in place to minimize ships’ environmental impact. The Canadian Arctic ECA would require ships travelling in this region to use cleaner engine technologies and cleaner fuels with lower levels of air pollution.
Most ships travelling through the Arctic use marine fuels that emit more sulphur oxides and particulate matter into the air than ECA-compliant fuels. The switch to cleaner, ECA compliant fuels, can also have the co-benefit of reducing black carbon.
Black carbon is a known contributor to climate change. Black carbon particles darken the surface of ice and snow, reducing its ability to reflect light and heat, which accelerates melting.
Switching to cleaner fuels will significantly reduce these harmful air emissions and the health risks they cause, such as respiratory symptoms, cardiovascular disease, and premature death.
How will this benefit communities in the Arctic, specifically Indigenous Peoples?
Indigenous Peoples who live in the Arctic rely on marine ecosystems and a healthy environment for their food security, cultural identity, and traditional ways of life. The well-being of Arctic communities is directly connected to the health of the environment.
By preventing, reducing, and controlling shipping emissions, we can:
Air pollution and particulate matter from ships operating in the Canadian Arctic not only affect coastal populations—this pollution can travel hundreds of kilometres inland, settling on water, soil, and vegetation.
What are the economic impacts for northern communities?
The Government of Canada is committed to ensuring implementation is cost-neutral for Arctic communities.
Canada is collaborating with Indigenous Peoples’ groups and communities to determine how best to deliver the environmental benefits of the Arctic ECA while mitigating the impacts on food security and cost of living.
The costs associated with the Canadian Arctic ECA are expected to be minimal.
The ECA could increase the total operating costs for sealift vessels transiting in the Canadian Arctic by about 1% and increase the total operating costs for non-sealift vessels by about 2% in 2027 and 2028.
Taking action to protect the Arctic
This fall, the Canadian Arctic ECA will be considered for official adoption by the IMO. If adopted, the Government of Canada would begin making the changes here in Canadian Arctic waters.
The Canadian Arctic ECA would provide additional benefits to the IMO’s heavy fuel oil (HFO) ban as it will introduce stricter regulations on the types of fuels that can be used, implement cleaner engine technology standards, and standardize regulations along Canada’s coastline.
We’ve seen the success of establishing an Emission Control Area in southern Canada (below 60°N). The Canadian Arctic ECA is an important step towards protecting the Canadian Arctic region and its people.