In 2001, greenhouse gas emissions from the Canadian pulp and paper sector were 26% lower than their 1990 level⁶.

In 2002, Papier Masson Ltée achieved a 60% reduction in its greenhouse gas emissions (GGEs) compared to the 1990 level. This reduction greatly exceeds the objective of a 5.6% reduction in GGEs compared to the 1990 level required by the Kyoto Protocol.

The reduction of Papier Masson's GGEs is attributable to the replacement in 2000 of its former pulping procedures with an ultramodern thermomechanical process. The new process is equipped with a system to recover the energy released by pulp manufacturing. This energy is recovered in the form of steam used by the paper drying machinery.

In fact, 90% of the electricity used to manufacture pulp is recovered in the form of steam. Previously, all of the steam used to dry paper and heat the plant was produced with fossil fuels (heavy heating oil and natural gas).

The modernization of our mill has enabled us to continue reducing fossil fuel consumption. Since the modernization, we have reduced the consumption of fossil fuels required for our operations by 46%.

In September 2003, Papier Masson began to take part in ÉcoGESte, the voluntary program established in 1996 by the Ministère de l’Environnement du Québec and the Ministère des Ressources

⁷ Source : Web site www.ecogeste.gouv.qc.ca

naturelles. EcoGESte represents the Quebec government's official program for meeting the goals of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change7. As part of this program, companies and organizations are invited to adopt voluntary measures to reduce their emission of greenhouse gases⁷ (GHG).

In recognition of our 32% reduction of greenhouse gas emission between 2001 and 2002, Papier Masson Ltée received the 2003 ÉcoGESte award in the category “Performance of the Year”. This award is reward every year by the Quebec Ministry of the Environment and the Quebec Ministry of Natural Resources, Wildlife and Parks.

Figure 5