Sunday, December 28, 2025
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

Man dies after being punched in Vancouver

Man dies after being punched in Vancouver
He is Vancouver's 11th homicide victim this year.

Man dies after being punched in Vancouver

O'Toole names shadow cabinet

O'Toole names shadow cabinet
Ontario MP Michael Chong is taking a big step up to become the Conservatives' critic for foreign affairs, considered one of the most high-profile portfolios.

O'Toole names shadow cabinet

Judge who asked woman to remove hijab apologizes

Judge who asked woman to remove hijab apologizes
A letter of apology from Quebec court Judge Eliana Marengo was read out today at a hearing of the province's judicial council.

Judge who asked woman to remove hijab apologizes

Commercial rent aid gets one more month

Commercial rent aid gets one more month
The Liberals say the program that aims to help small businesses with their rent or lease costs will be extended for this month, unveiling the details one week after rent was due.

Commercial rent aid gets one more month

Green party membership nearly doubles

Green party membership nearly doubles
Party officials say the Greens added 15,000 new people to their membership list during the campaign.

Green party membership nearly doubles

Canadians demand Iran hunger-striker be freed

Canadians demand Iran hunger-striker be freed
Nasrin Sotoudeh was hospitalized briefly on Monday in Tehran but has since been returned to the women's ward of the notorious Evin Prison, where she has been held since June 2018, says Yonah Diamond, one of her Montreal-based lawyers.

Canadians demand Iran hunger-striker be freed