Close X
Monday, November 25, 2024
ADVT 
National

Arctic heavy fuel ban weak: environmentalists

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 20 Nov, 2020 07:52 PM
  • Arctic heavy fuel ban weak: environmentalists

Environmental groups say a new international ban on using a highly polluting fuel in Arctic waters is full of gaps.

They say Canada should refuse to take advantage of loopholes the International Maritime Organization has agreed to make part of the ban on heavy fuel oils.

The loopholes allow countries with Arctic coastlines continue to use the fuel until 2029.

Heavy fuel oil is a major source of so-called black carbon — soot particles that land on and darken sea ice, hastening its melt.

Andrew Dumbrille of the World Wildlife Fund says eliminating heavy fuel oil could cut black carbon almost in half.

Most Arctic countries, Indigenous groups and environmentalists supported a stronger ban.

Dumbrille says the loopholes were granted after heavy pressure from Russia, where most Arctic shipping occurs.

Transport Canada was not immediately available to say how it would implement the new regulations.

MORE National ARTICLES

Police say man suffers injuries during a robbery in Surrey

Police say man suffers injuries during a robbery in Surrey
The responding officer pulled into a parking lot and as they were pulling up, the man allegedly produced a firearm and shot at the officer who was still seated in their police car.

Police say man suffers injuries during a robbery in Surrey

COVID-19 cases, deaths surge ahead of long weekend

COVID-19 cases, deaths surge ahead of long weekend
Trudeau urged Canadians to do everything they could to slow the virus in coming weeks, acknowledging that Thanksgiving would have to be a curtailed affair.

COVID-19 cases, deaths surge ahead of long weekend

Feds revamp pandemic rent-relief program

Feds revamp pandemic rent-relief program
He said a revamped commercial rent-relief program will cover up to 65 per cent of eligible expenses for companies, and up to 90 per cent for those subject to localized lockdowns.

Feds revamp pandemic rent-relief program

WFP says it shares Nobel Peace Prize with Canada

WFP says it shares Nobel Peace Prize with Canada
Spokeswoman Julie Marshall says Canada is the UN organization’s seventh-largest donor, contributing more than $250 million in 2019, and has supported its work for 50 years.

WFP says it shares Nobel Peace Prize with Canada

Champagne to meet Belarus opposition leader

Champagne to meet Belarus opposition leader
Champagne will meet with representatives of the secretary-general of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe, which is calling for peaceful negotiations between Azerbaijan and Armenia after the recent flare-up their long dispute over the Nagorno-Karabakh region.

Champagne to meet Belarus opposition leader

Green leader asks Trudeau to suspend byelections

Green leader asks Trudeau to suspend byelections
Annamie Paul, who took the reins of the Green Party of Canada last Saturday, is also the party's candidate in the Oct. 26 byelection in Toronto Centre.

Green leader asks Trudeau to suspend byelections