Workshop -- Launch of the First Report of the Chilean PRTR Alain Chung, Environment Canada Santiago,...

Workshop -- Launch of the First Report Workshop -- Launch of the First Report of the Chilean PRTR of the Chilean PRTR

Alain Chung, Environment Alain Chung, Environment CanadaCanada

Santiago, Chile – November 28, 2007Santiago, Chile – November 28, 2007

Chile PRTR WorkshopNovember 28, 2007

22 EnvironnementCanada

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Topics to be CoveredTopics to be Covered

• Brief overview of the Canadian PRTR Brief overview of the Canadian PRTR systemsystem

• The importance of data qualityThe importance of data quality

• Canadian experiences with data Canadian experiences with data quality improvement (quality quality improvement (quality assurance and quality control)assurance and quality control)

• PRTR in the AmericasPRTR in the Americas



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Overview of the Canadian PRTROverview of the Canadian PRTR

Canada’s Pollutant Release and Transfer Register

(PRTR) has two main components:

1. The National Pollutant Release Inventory (NPRI) National Pollutant Release Inventory (NPRI)

is an annual, publicly-accessible database of

information on pollutants released to the

environment, or transferred for disposal or

recycling, by industrial facilities in Canada.

2. For selected substances, Comprehensive Air Comprehensive Air

Emissions InventoriesEmissions Inventories are compiled, which

include government estimations of emissions

from both industrial and area sources (small and

large industry, transportation, agriculture, etc).



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+

•Annual reporting to EC by over 8,000 industrial & commercial facilities on releases, disposal and recycling of 300+ toxic, smog forming and other pollutants. •Air, water and land

•NPRI data for most industrial sources of key air pollutants, plus air emission estimates—based on economic, statistical and other data—for sources not reported to the NPRI (e.g. residential, transportation, forest fires, agriculture)•Air only

National Pollutant Release Inventory (NPRI)

Comprehensive Air Emission Inventories

The NPRI and Comprehensive Inventories are important The NPRI and Comprehensive Inventories are important tools to support the government’s clean air and water tools to support the government’s clean air and water priorities….priorities….

National Air Pollution Surveillance Network

(NAPS)

•Ambient air quality measurement at ~290 monitoring stations in over 175 communities across Canada.

(Ambient air quality is affected by both domestic & international emission sources)

Pollutant Release and Transfer Register (PRTR)



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Importance of Data QualityImportance of Data Quality

• A PRTR must contain accurate and credible A PRTR must contain accurate and credible data for it to be useful to inform citizens and data for it to be useful to inform citizens and support decision makingsupport decision making

• Data quality should be a consideration during Data quality should be a consideration during all PRTR activities (consultation, annual notice all PRTR activities (consultation, annual notice of reporting requirements, guidance materials of reporting requirements, guidance materials and tools, reporting software, quality control and tools, reporting software, quality control checks, database management procedures)checks, database management procedures)

• One option is the implementation of a Quality One option is the implementation of a Quality Management System (which NPRI is in the Management System (which NPRI is in the process of doing)process of doing)



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6 Principles for Data Quality6 Principles for Data Quality

• The following are 6 Principles that guide The following are 6 Principles that guide Canada’s data quality efforts:Canada’s data quality efforts:

1.1. CompletenessCompleteness

2.2. ConsistencyConsistency

3.3. ComparabilityComparability

4.4. AccuracyAccuracy

5.5. TransparencyTransparency

6.6. On-site InspectionOn-site Inspection

(See the background for more details on these)(See the background for more details on these)



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Data Quality GoalsData Quality Goals

• Ensure NPRI data quality meets the needs of key users Ensure NPRI data quality meets the needs of key users and assist decision making by: and assist decision making by: – Implementing quality assurance program to improve Implementing quality assurance program to improve

overall data quality and ensure continuous improvementoverall data quality and ensure continuous improvement– Increasing the confidence level of public and government Increasing the confidence level of public and government

in the data submitted by industryin the data submitted by industry– Ensuring that the information collected meets the needs Ensuring that the information collected meets the needs

of key usersof key users– Providing information to support development of Providing information to support development of

regulationsregulations

• Data Quality Improvement Efforts take place both:Data Quality Improvement Efforts take place both:– Before the data is submitted (Quality Assurance)Before the data is submitted (Quality Assurance)– During submission of the data (Quality Assurance)During submission of the data (Quality Assurance)– After the data is submitted (Quality Control)After the data is submitted (Quality Control)



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Improving Data Quality – Quality Assurance Improving Data Quality – Quality Assurance (1)(1)• There is a role for governments to provide guidance There is a role for governments to provide guidance

and tools to reporting facilities, to facilitate their and tools to reporting facilities, to facilitate their reporting and produce better data.reporting and produce better data.• NPRI provides assistance to reporting facilities and NPRI provides assistance to reporting facilities and

potential reporters through:potential reporters through:• guidance documents – both general and sector-guidance documents – both general and sector-

specific;specific;

• annual workshops for reporting facilities;annual workshops for reporting facilities;

• tools to help estimate releases; tools to help estimate releases;

• brochures to facilities that may meet new brochures to facilities that may meet new requirements; andrequirements; and

• Toll-free phone number to answer questions.Toll-free phone number to answer questions.

• Providing an electronic reporting system also helps Providing an electronic reporting system also helps to reduce errors:to reduce errors:

• Built-in data-quality checks; andBuilt-in data-quality checks; and

• Reduces data entry errors.Reduces data entry errors.



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Improving Data Quality – Quality Assurance Improving Data Quality – Quality Assurance (2)(2)

• Detailed sector-specific or substance-specific Detailed sector-specific or substance-specific assessments can identify areas for which work to assessments can identify areas for which work to improve data quality is neededimprove data quality is needed• examine consistency of reporting for similar examine consistency of reporting for similar

facilities/processesfacilities/processes

• work with government experts and industry associations work with government experts and industry associations to leverage their expertiseto leverage their expertise

• This work will help to identify areas which require This work will help to identify areas which require improvement, to focus quality assurance activitiesimprovement, to focus quality assurance activities



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• For key sectors, or those with identified quality concerns, For key sectors, or those with identified quality concerns, Canada’s approach is to work with industry associations Canada’s approach is to work with industry associations and government experts to enhance sector-specific and government experts to enhance sector-specific GuidanceGuidance• Provide effective and focussed guidance (e.g., tools Provide effective and focussed guidance (e.g., tools

methodologies and associated guidance documents) to methodologies and associated guidance documents) to ensure reported data are transparent, consistent, ensure reported data are transparent, consistent, complete and accuratecomplete and accurate

• Implement facility inspections dealing with data quality Implement facility inspections dealing with data quality (the inspection activities, based on priorities, would allow (the inspection activities, based on priorities, would allow us to perform reality check (e.g., how reliable is the us to perform reality check (e.g., how reliable is the submitted data and the timeliness) submitted data and the timeliness)

• Perform measurements for key sources to supplement Perform measurements for key sources to supplement outdated information and improve emission factorsoutdated information and improve emission factors



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• The Organisation for Economic Cooperation and The Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) Task Force on PRTRs has Development (OECD) Task Force on PRTRs has developed a number of useful materials/tools:developed a number of useful materials/tools:• Resource Centre for Release Estimation Techniques:Resource Centre for Release Estimation Techniques:

provides documents from many OECD countries and provides documents from many OECD countries and International Organizations, which can be useful to International Organizations, which can be useful to develop and provide.develop and provide.

• Document entitledDocument entitled “Considerations for Ensuring “Considerations for Ensuring Quality PRTR Data”:Quality PRTR Data”: provides information and best provides information and best practices on all aspects of data quality – will be available practices on all aspects of data quality – will be available soonsoon

• These are available at the These are available at the OECD PRTR Website:OECD PRTR Website: http://webdomino1.oecd.org/COMNET/ENV/tf-prtr.nsf http://webdomino1.oecd.org/COMNET/ENV/tf-prtr.nsf



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Improving Data Quality – Quality Improving Data Quality – Quality ControlControl

• NPRI relies on facilities to submit accurate dataNPRI relies on facilities to submit accurate data• Facilities are expected to make a reasonable effort to obtain a Facilities are expected to make a reasonable effort to obtain a

best estimate.best estimate.• Acceptable methods to estimate releases include monitoring, Acceptable methods to estimate releases include monitoring,

mass balance calculations, emission factors and engineering mass balance calculations, emission factors and engineering estimates.estimates.

• Once data received, quality control checks are Once data received, quality control checks are donedone

• automated process to identify questionable data (large increase automated process to identify questionable data (large increase or decrease from previous year, potential incorrect units, etc)or decrease from previous year, potential incorrect units, etc)

• Facilities are asked confirm/correct any data identified as Facilities are asked confirm/correct any data identified as questionablequestionable

• Also important to maintain quality of supporting Also important to maintain quality of supporting facility informationfacility information

• facility names, sector codes, parent company, locationfacility names, sector codes, parent company, location



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PRTR in the AmericasPRTR in the Americas

Canada supports the adoption of PRTRs throughout the Americas:

• Conference of the Americas on PRTRs (Mexico City, April 2004) to raise awareness of PRTRs

• Although monetary resources are limited, Canada will continue to provide technical and other support to the best of its abilities

Countries such as Chile, who have moved forward with PRTR implementation, are a great example to other countries in the Americas.

We commend you for your efforts!!We commend you for your efforts!!



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Background



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6 Principles to Guide Data 6 Principles to Guide Data QualityQuality

1. CompletenessAgreed methods or approaches for estimation or measurement and reporting of all NPRI emissions from the major sources at the reporting facilities

2. ConsistencyProtocols (methods) for estimating or measuring emissions should be consistent within a sector and over time

3. ComparabilityAcross sectors, emissions from similar equipment or processes should be determined using comparable methods



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6 Principles to Guide Data Quality 6 Principles to Guide Data Quality (2)(2)

4. Accuracy

Reported emissions are systematically neither over nor under true emissions…uncertainties are reduced as far as practicable

5. Transparency

Emissions inventories are compiled using documented, publicly-available methods and procedures. Internal documents are maintained by the reporter to provide a reliable repository and a paper trail to enable the reproduction of emissions under audit or as necessary, by qualified persons.

6. Facility Inspection

Based on sector-specific analysis, carry out facility inspection to ensure the quality of the reported information to the NPRI meet above stated data quality attributes



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Importance of Canada’s PRTRImportance of Canada’s PRTR

Information on pollution, such as that Information on pollution, such as that provided through a PRTR, is valuable to:provided through a PRTR, is valuable to:

• Identify priorities for actionIdentify priorities for action

• Allow tracking of progress in reducing Allow tracking of progress in reducing releases and transfersreleases and transfers

• Support targeted regulatory initiatives Support targeted regulatory initiatives

• Improve public understanding of pollutant Improve public understanding of pollutant sources and engage civil society in decision-sources and engage civil society in decision-makingmaking

• Encourage voluntary action to reduce Encourage voluntary action to reduce releases and transfersreleases and transfers



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Development of the NPRIDevelopment of the NPRI

• Reporting requirements were established in 1992 by Reporting requirements were established in 1992 by a multi-stakeholder advisory committee, with a multi-stakeholder advisory committee, with representatives from industry, environmental representatives from industry, environmental organizations and governments.organizations and governments.

• Original NPRI list of substances was derived through Original NPRI list of substances was derived through stakeholder consultation. In 1993, the first stakeholder consultation. In 1993, the first reporting year, 178 substances were listed.reporting year, 178 substances were listed.

• Development of initial NPRI took into account Development of initial NPRI took into account priorities and what was achievable, and has priorities and what was achievable, and has expanded to meet needs - currently over 300 expanded to meet needs - currently over 300 substances.substances.

• Reporting to NPRI, in accordance with the annual Reporting to NPRI, in accordance with the annual notification, is mandatory under the notification, is mandatory under the Canadian Canadian Environmental Protection Act.Environmental Protection Act.



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Scope of Reporting for NPRIScope of Reporting for NPRI

• NPRI includes point-source information on toxic NPRI includes point-source information on toxic substances, smog pollutants and other substances substances, smog pollutants and other substances of concern from industrial facilities (manufacturing, of concern from industrial facilities (manufacturing, metal smelters, power plants, sewage treatment, metal smelters, power plants, sewage treatment, etc.).etc.).

• Facilities that employ 10 or more employees are Facilities that employ 10 or more employees are subject to reporting, unless specifically exempt.subject to reporting, unless specifically exempt.

• Such facilities must report for each substance Such facilities must report for each substance manufactured, processed or used above the manufactured, processed or used above the appropriate threshold (usually 10 tonnes, but lower appropriate threshold (usually 10 tonnes, but lower for priority substances). for priority substances).

• For each substance above threshold, facilities report For each substance above threshold, facilities report the amount released (air, water, land) and the amount released (air, water, land) and transferred (disposal and recycling) and other transferred (disposal and recycling) and other information.information.



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Comprehensive InventoriesComprehensive Inventories

• For various substances, For various substances, Comprehensive Air Comprehensive Air Emissions InventoriesEmissions Inventories are compiled by are compiled by Canadian governments:Canadian governments:• include estimations of emissions from all include estimations of emissions from all

sources (small and large industry, sources (small and large industry, transportation, agriculture, home heating, forest transportation, agriculture, home heating, forest fires, etc).fires, etc).

• allow Canada to comply with reporting allow Canada to comply with reporting obligations of various domestic and international obligations of various domestic and international agreements and programs agreements and programs

• Inventories compiled for:Inventories compiled for:• air pollutants that contribute to smog and acid air pollutants that contribute to smog and acid

rain;rain;

• heavy metals (mercury and cadmium);heavy metals (mercury and cadmium);

• selected persistent organic pollutants selected persistent organic pollutants (dioxins/furans, hexachlorobenzene)(dioxins/furans, hexachlorobenzene)



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PRTR in North AmericaPRTR in North America

The North American Commission for Environmental North American Commission for Environmental Co-operation (CEC)Co-operation (CEC) was established in 1994:

• under the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) between Canada, the U.S. and Mexico;

• to address potential environmental concerns under NAFTA and promote environmental co-operation in the region.

The CEC’s involvement with PRTRs takes two forms:

• “Taking Stock” analysis and reports; and

• Action Plan to enhance the comparability of North American PRTRs.

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