Pollution Plans: Us, Canada, And Mexico's Shared Future

The United States, Canada, and Mexico have a history of collaborating on pollution-related issues. In 1991, the US and Canada entered into an agreement to address transboundary air pollution, which was amended in 2000 to include the Ozone Annex, a commitment to reduce transboundary smog emissions. The US and Canada have also been working together to support the transboundary movement of waste for environmentally sound management. In 2020, the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) came into force, creating enforceable labor and environmental standards and enhancing digital trade protections. Despite these agreements, there is growing concern about the export of hazardous waste from the US to Mexico and Canada, with environmentalists arguing that it is unethical and contributes to environmental injustice in these countries.

The US, Canada, and Mexico are three of the world's largest oil and gas producers

Canada and Mexico are crucial suppliers of crude oil to the US, with many US oil refiners relying heavily on imports from these countries due to their facilities being configured to run heavier grades of crude. In November 2024, Phillips 66, HF Sinclair, and Par Pacific Holdings were among the top US refiners with the highest exposure to Canadian crude oil. This reliance on imports from Canada and Mexico has led to concerns about potential tariffs on crude imports, as it could drive up costs and impact refining operations.

Mexico, in particular, stands out as a significant player in the oil and gas industry. In 2022, Mexico was the fourth-largest oil producer in the Americas and 13th globally, with a daily production of 1.6 million barrels. The country also ranked highly in other categories, placing 21st in crude oil reserves, 16th in refined capacity, and 5th in logistics infrastructure. The oil industry is a crucial component of Mexico's economy, accounting for almost 20% of total government revenues in 2022.

The US has a notable influence on Mexico's oil and gas sector, with US companies being major investors and contractors in the country. In 2022, several US companies, including BP, Chevron, ExxonMobil, and Total, began implementing their investment plans in Mexico. These companies are expected to invest an estimated $18 billion from 2021 to 2024 in various oil and gas projects, creating opportunities for US suppliers and investors.

Additionally, the US has a history of exporting hazardous waste to both Canada and Mexico. While this practice is legal, it has raised concerns about the potential environmental and health impacts in these countries, particularly in Mexico, where environmental regulations and enforcement are less stringent. There are ongoing debates and protests regarding the ethical implications of the US exporting its waste to its neighbouring countries.

The US has been criticised for exporting toxic waste to Mexico and Canada

In Mexico, the investigation uncovered high levels of lead, cadmium, and arsenic in homes and schools near the Zinc Nacional plant in Monterrey, which recycles toxic dust produced by the US steel industry. There are concerns that the plant releases lead, cadmium, arsenic, and other toxic substances into the atmosphere, contributing to air pollution in the metropolitan region of Monterrey. Experts and residents have also raised concerns about the potential health risks associated with living near the plant, including respiratory issues and cancer.

In Canada, there are concerns about the import of hazardous waste from the US, particularly in Quebec. At a smelter in Rouyn-Noranda, children and adults living nearby were found to have high levels of arsenic in their fingernails. Additionally, a hazardous waste depository in Blainville, bordering wetlands just outside urban Montreal, has been the subject of environmental protests due to concerns about potential pollution and health risks.

The export of hazardous waste from the US to Mexico and Canada has been characterised as "waste colonialism" by critics, who argue that it is a form of environmental injustice and exploitation. They contend that richer countries like the US are treating less affluent countries like Mexico as their "back yard" for toxic waste disposal. There are also concerns about the lack of regulatory oversight and the potential impact on vulnerable communities.

While the US has agreements with Canada and Mexico to address transboundary air pollution, critics argue that there should be a fundamental rethink of how the US handles its toxic byproducts, with a focus on reducing waste production and managing hazardous waste within its own borders.

The US, Canada, and Mexico are working together to address transboundary air pollution

In addition to the agreement with Canada, the US has also been working bilaterally with Mexico to address transboundary air pollution. For example, in 2015, the Environmental Defense Fund (EDF) partnered with Mexico's Mario Molina Center to release a policy brief titled "North American Climate Leadership: A road map for global action". This brief outlined cost-effective opportunities for Mexico to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions, particularly focusing on the oil and gas sector. The US has also agreed to a historic climate pact with Mexico, which included a goal of cutting oil and gas methane emissions by up to 45% by 2025.

The US, Canada, and Mexico have also been working together through multilateral groups such as the North American Leaders' Summit and the Los Angeles Declaration on Migration and Protection. These forums provide opportunities for the three countries to coordinate their efforts and share best practices in addressing transboundary air pollution and other environmental issues.

Furthermore, all three countries are members of the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD), a binational military command that includes the United States and Canada and focuses on continental defense. NORAD provides a framework for the three countries to collaborate on security and defense issues, including the protection of the environment.

Overall, the US, Canada, and Mexico have demonstrated a strong commitment to addressing transboundary air pollution through a combination of bilateral agreements, multilateral initiatives, and military cooperation. These efforts have led to significant reductions in emissions and improved air quality in the region.

The US, Canada, and Mexico are committed to a bilateral initiative to tackle opioid addiction and opioid-related deaths

The opioid crisis has had a significant impact on communities and families in the US, Canada, and Mexico. In response, the three countries are committed to a bilateral initiative to tackle opioid addiction and opioid-related deaths.

In the US, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) has awarded $945 million in grants, contracts, and cooperative agreements across 41 states through the Helping to End Addiction Long-term Initiative or NIH HEAL Initiative. The initiative aims to improve treatments for chronic pain, curb opioid use disorder (OUD) and overdose rates, and achieve long-term recovery from opioid addiction. The NIH HEAL Initiative leverages expertise from various institutes and centers, approaching the crisis from multiple angles and disciplines.

Canada has also taken several federal actions to address the overdose crisis, including funding for projects, prevention and education efforts, substance use services and supports, and substance controls. The Government of Canada has committed to a comprehensive public health and safety approach focused on reducing harms, saving lives, and providing necessary support. They have released national data on opioid-related deaths, hospitalizations, and emergency department visits, and have provided funding for projects such as the Substance Use and Addictions Program (SUAP) to support people who use drugs.

Mexico has placed access to medication-assisted treatment (MAT) at the center of its policy response to the opioid crisis. However, primary care physicians in Mexico are unable to directly prescribe MAT, and it is only available in a few private clinics. Leading health authorities in the country have called for a national scale-up of methadone treatment.

While each country has implemented its own strategies, there is a need for a coordinated response at the continental level. The dynamics of the opioid epidemic in the US are linked to events and patterns of drug trafficking and use in Canada and Mexico. As such, a collaborative approach that addresses the shared challenges and priorities of all three countries is essential to effectively tackle opioid addiction and opioid-related deaths in North America.

The US, Canada, and Mexico are three of the top five methane emitters in the world

In 2021, the US, Canada, and Mexico were still among the top five methane emitters in the world. The US emitted 36.9 Tg of methane, Canada emitted 5.3 Tg, and Mexico emitted 6.0 Tg. These figures are higher than the most recent national inventories, which reported 26.0 Tg for the US, 4.0 Tg for Canada, and 5.0 Tg for Mexico.

In 2015, the US and Canada agreed to a historic climate pact to reduce oil and gas methane emissions by up to 45% by 2025. This agreement underscores the growing international momentum on this issue.

Methane is a potent greenhouse gas that contributes to climate change. It is the primary component of natural gas and is responsible for about a third of the warming we are experiencing today. Methane has a more powerful warming effect than carbon dioxide, although it has a shorter duration in the atmosphere before it decomposes.

In 2018, the US, Canada, and Mexico were among the top three North American nations in terms of oil and gas methane pollution. Together, the three countries emitted 44.9 Tg of methane, with the US emitting 36.9 Tg, Canada emitting 5.3 Tg, and Mexico emitting 6.0 Tg. These figures are higher than the national inventories, which reported 28.7 Tg for the US, 3.7 Tg for Canada, and 5.0 Tg for Mexico.

The high levels of methane emissions in these countries are largely driven by the oil and gas sectors. The US, Canada, and Mexico are all major oil and gas-producing nations. The oil and gas sector is the largest industrial source of methane globally.

Reducing methane emissions from the oil and gas sector is cost-effective and environmentally beneficial. Even at historically low gas prices, there are many viable solutions for companies to reduce their emissions. On average, the cost of capturing methane would add just one penny to the current price of gas.

In 2019, the US and Canada reaffirmed their commitment to reducing methane emissions by signing the Canada-US Air Quality Agreement. This agreement addresses transboundary air pollution, including methane emissions, which can affect air quality at their sources and many miles away.

By taking united action on methane, the US, Canada, and Mexico can improve North American energy integration and make it easier for multinational oil and gas companies to comply with comparable in-country standards.

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