Industrial emissions

Last updated on November 24, 2023

Industrial emissions are emissions from industrial sources, larger industrial facilities that are governed by permits or regulations, or are required to report their emissions due to their size or production capacity.

In B.C., this category refers to all industrial facilities that operate under the Environmental Management Act, or an air discharge permit issued by Metro Vancouver. Industrial sources are also referred to as "point" sources because they are stationary sources of pollution, such as stacks or vents.

Annual emissions from point sources are reported through the National Pollutant Release Inventory database operated by Environment Canada. 

Regulation

The regulatory framework governing industrial emissions is guided by the Environmental Management Act. It includes regulations and codes of practice.

Industrial sources operate under a waste discharge or air discharge permit.