Archived: Technical guidance on reporting greenhouse gas emissions: preface

Preface

Background

Canada is working towards fulfilling its climate change policy objectives in part by ensuring that it has the capacity to quantify, track and report progress on the reduction of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in a way that meets a required level of accuracy, thoroughness, transparency and credibility.

In March 2004, the Government of Canada initiated a phased approach to the collection of GHG emissions data and related information. The Greenhouse Gas Emissions Reporting Program (GHGRP) was launched through the publication of the first Canada Gazette notice in March 2004, which set out basic reporting requirements. A Canada Gazette notice is published every year requiring the reporting of GHG emissions for the calendar year specified in the notice.

This program continues to be a part of Canada’s effort to develop, through a collaborative process with the provinces and territories, a harmonized and efficient single-window reporting system to meet the GHG reporting needs of all jurisdictions and minimize the reporting burden for both Canadian industry and governments. The information generated under the GHGRP supports a number of important objectives, including providing Canadians with consistent information on GHG emissions, validating industrial emission estimates presented in the National Greenhouse Gas Inventory, supporting GHG information needs of provinces and territories, and supporting regulatory initiatives.

With the Government of Canada’s commitment to reduce GHG emissions, accurate tracking of GHG emissions, through the National Greenhouse Gas Inventory is an important part of assessing Canada’s overall environmental performance. By providing a more precise picture of the sources and amounts of GHG emissions from Canadian facilities, the GHGRP will contribute to the development, implementation and evaluation of climate change policies and strategies. The facility data collected through this program is published annually and is used to compare and validate data presented in the National Greenhouse Gas Inventory Report.

Purpose

The purpose of this document is to provide guidance to potential reporters to help determine if they are required to submit a report and to present technical information related to GHG emissions reporting. This technical information includes the GHGs and emission sources subject to reporting, along with information on methods for calculating emissions and the required reporting format. An overview of the reporting process is also described herein. Should any inconsistencies be found between this guide and the official Canada Gazette, Part I, Notice with respect to reporting of greenhouse gases (GHGs) for 2016, the notice will prevail.

Separate guidance is available regarding the online Single Window System that should be used to submit a report (see the GHGRP's website). This guidance includes instructions on how to use the reporting system, how to complete and submit the report, and other relevant information.