Commentary on Environmental Essentials

by Doubra Ambaiowei

OAPC’s commentary on environmental sustainability in context for Canadian roads

The Environmental Essentials column provides a good overview of the environmental framework and considerations for roads in Ontario. As an industry, it is important that we work to be more sustainable by optimizing existing processes for measurable and quantifiable energy usage. OAPC is working on:

1. Developing an action plan for a net-zero emissions strategy that could be implemented industry-wide over the next 10 years;

2. Continuing education on the benefits of RAP utilization;

3. Refining the Trillium Award Program;

4. Engaging and developing Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs); and

5. Understanding the impact of asphalt production facilities especially in the area of existing burner technologies.

Continuing consultations on MTO’s GreenPave Rating System requires that the asphalt industry provides any additional supporting documents on quantifying the energy savings from Reduced Energy Consumption, Greenhouse Gas Emissions Reduction, and supporting information to improve current ratings in the areas of Innovation/New Technologies. Consequently, new industry research studies are being encouraged. Compared to Canada, the U.S. is more advanced with the implementation and application of EPDs. In addition, recently the Biden-Harris administration passed the Buy Clean Initiative and DOT’s first Buy Clean Policy Statement which focuses on expanding markets for clean manufacturing and using low carbon materials across the nation’s buildings and transportation infrastructure. The Asphalt Institute (AI) has laid the groundwork to develop an EPD program for asphalt binder by forming an AI member-only EPD task force and will continue to monitor the progress of the Buy Clean Act. OAPC is also keeping abreast of developments through its partnership with the FHWA-Sustainable Pavements Technical Working Group (SPTWG).

Moving forward, we are looking for industry and municipal stakeholder responses to the following questions to guide our discussions and determine the type of assistance to solicit on advancing the use of EPDs for asphalt in Ontario:

1. What is your organization doing as related to the use of EPDs?

2. What is working regarding the use of EPDs? What do you like?

3. Is there anything that, in your organization’s opinion, is missing from other jurisdictional current practices regarding EPD usage that is needed or requires updating?

4. What is not working with EPDs? Where are you having major issues and what challenges do you have?

5. What is needed to address some of these challenges and concerns to facilitate usage of EPDs?

6. What specifically should ORBA/OAPC do to help advance the use of EPDs in Ontario?

7. Is there anything else you would like us to know, be aware of, or add related to EPDs?

Please communicate your feedback to me at Doubra.Ambaiowei@orba.org. We thank you in advance for your submissions.