Our Bureau of Investigation’s analysis reveals that since 2012, Quebec’s 100 biggest polluters have emitted so many greenhouse gases.
• Read more: Here are the 20 worst environmental criminals in Quebec
• Read more: A “worst case scenario” is emerging for the McInnis cement plant, which is polluting more than ever before.
According to data from the Department of Environment, in 2021, the top 100 polluters emitted 21.3 megatonnes (Mt), the highest peak in the last decade.
Major polluters are mainly companies such as cement factories, aluminum smelters and refineries.
In 2012, the first year for which these figures are available, the top 100 emissions were about 21.1 Mt. Later, it decreased to 19.8 Mt in 2016. Between 2016 and 2021, the increase is l 7.5%, but the province should be the opposite. Reduce its GHGs to meet its target.
Many factories closed due to the pandemic, explaining the temporary drop in emissions (19.9 Mt) in 2020.
Impact Important
According to our analysis, more than half (57) of the top 100 polluters have increased their emissions since 2012. Comparing 2019 to 2021 (58) this is almost the same number.
The impact of the 100 largest polluters is not negligible, as they represent approximately 85% of all industrial GHGs and a quarter of those in Quebec as a whole.
The CAQ government is committing to a 54% reduction in GHGs compared to the 1990 limit (all sectors combined). But so far only 2.6% has been reduced.
Funded by Quebec
Many industries in the top 100 have received substantial sums from the Green Fund, now known as the Electrification and Climate Change Fund.
The McInnis cement plant alone emits 1.4 Mt and, as of 2020, is now comfortably at the top of the largest polluters. The plant will continue its emissions in 2027 when it reaches full capacity.
The Port-Daniel plant in Gaspésie, operated by Ciment St-Marys, owned by Brazilian company Votorantim, received $25,000 from the electrification fund in 2020-2021. The grant funded 30% of the cost of designing and installing 10 electric car charging stations at the plant.
“The remaining 70% of the project was funded by the factory,” company spokesman Christopher Mason said.
The grant application was made by the former administration. However, in 2016, former CEO Christian Gagnon promised that the cement plant would not dip into the fund. The Port-Daniel plant then inflated green promises to encourage social acceptance of the polluting project.
Discounts to come
We also see the 3rd largest polluter in the top 10, Aluminary Aloette, which emits nearly 8% more GHG than in 2012. This result is particularly explained by the increase in production, but also by a more precise analysis and calculation of GHGs, says Julie Salesse, Alouette’s environmental director.
Starting in 2020, the Sept-Eils plant has received $15.7 million in funding from the ÉcoPerformance program (Québec Energy Transition) to convert its anode baking reactors to liquefied natural gas. . The total value of the project is more than $23 million, says Marie-Claude Guimond, director of communications for Smelter. GHG reductions will begin to partially appear on the balance sheet in 2022, and then fully in 2023.
Previously, the company’s cookstoves ran on oil and natural gas, which had not been in the North Coast industry until then. “That makes Aleut a pioneer and opens the door to many different possibilities,” explains Ms Guimond.
The company has committed to be carbon neutral by 2050.
Among other major polluters, in 10th place, we find Ciment Québec in Saint-Basile, in the Portneuf region. It has increased its GHG emissions by nearly 34% compared to 2012.
In April, the cement plant received $22.5 million from the fund for a new low-pollution grinding plant. It should be operational by early 2024 and promises to reduce GHGs by 66,200 tonnes per year. Ciment Québec did not respond to our interview request.
