U.S.–Canada Air Quality Agreement

The Government of the United States of America and the Government of Canada, hereinafter referred to as "the Parties",

Convinced that transboundary air pollution can cause significant harm to natural resources of vital environmental, cultural and economic importance, and to human health in both countries; Desiring that emissions of air pollutants from sources within their countries not result in significant transboundary air pollution; Convinced that transboundary air pollution can effectively be reduced through cooperative or coordinated action providing for controlling emissions of air pollutants in both countries; Recalling the efforts they have made to control air pollution and the improved air quality that has resulted from such efforts in both countries; Intending to address air-related issues of a global nature, such as climate change and stratospheric ozone depletion, in other fora; Reaffirming Principle 21 of the Stockholm Declaration, which provides that "States have, in accordance with the Charter of the United Nations and the principles of international law, the sovereign right to exploit their own resources pursuant to their own environmental policies, and the responsibility to ensure that activities within their jurisdiction or control do not cause damage to the environment of other States or of areas beyond the limits of national jurisdiction";

Noting their tradition of environmental cooperation as reflected in the Boundary Waters Treaty of 1909, the Trail Smelter Arbitration of 1941, the Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement of 1978, as amended, the Memorandum of Intent Concerning Transboundary Air Pollution of 1980, the 1986 Joint Report of the Special Envoys on Acid Rain, as well as the ECE Convention on Long-Range Transboundary Air Pollution of 1979;

Convinced that a healthy environment is essential to assure the well-being of present and future generations in Canada and the United States, as well as of the global community;

Have agreed as follows: ...

The U.S. Canada Air Quality Agreement Overview

In 1991 The United States and Canada signed a bilateral executive agreement aimed at reducing transboundary air pollution referred to as The U.S. Canada Air Quality Agreement (AQA). A bilateral agreement occurs when two parties, in this case two countries, undertake a mutual obligation to fulfill a set goal. Transboundary air pollution occurs when pollution created in one country negatively impacting another country. The bilateral agreement has three main objectives: reducing the impacts of transboundary pollution, prioritizing health and the environment, and corroborating to ensure each country is meeting its air quality standards. By signing the agreement, both countries concur that transboundary pollution could be mitigated through collaboration and cohesive actions. An Air Quality Committee was formed responsible for reporting progress every two years. In 2007, both parties successfully reached their targets outlined in the Acid Rain Annex and the Ozone Annex, demonstrating an overall emissions decrease and effective participation from both parties.