Canada’s Greenhouse Gas Offset Credit System
Canada’s Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Offset Credit System encourages municipalities, Indigenous communities, foresters, farmers and other project developers to undertake innovative projects that reduce GHGs compared to business-as-usual practices. Proponents of offset projects can generate federal offset credits if they register and implement projects meeting requirements in the Canadian Greenhouse Gas Offset Credit System Regulations and an applicable federal offset protocol.
Offset credits are tradeable units representing verified GHG reductions achieved by a project either by reducing GHG emissions or increasing GHG removals from the atmosphere. Each offset credit is equivalent to one tonne of carbon dioxide reduced or removed from the atmosphere. Federal offset credits can be sold and used for compliance by facilities covered under the federal Output-Based Pricing System and the Clean Electricity Regulations, or sold and used by others who are looking to meet voluntary climate targets or commitments.
Canada’s GHG Offset Credit System is accepting project registration applications under the following federal offset protocols: Landfill Methane Recovery and Destruction, Reducing Greenhouse Gas Emissions from Refrigeration Systems, Improved Forest Management on Private Land, and Reducing Enteric Methane Emissions from Beef Cattle. Refer to the "Tracking System and Public Registry" tab below for details on how to apply.
Highlights
Canada’s GHG Offset Credit System is now accepting project registration applications under the following federal offset protocols: Reducing Enteric Methane Emissions from Beef Cattle federal offset protocol. Refer to Tracking System and Public Registry tab above for details on how to apply.
Webinars will be held on November 26, 2025, to provide a high-level overview of the protocol and answer questions. Registration prior to the event is required through the following links:
- French session (10:00 AM – 12:00 PM EST): Webex French
- English session (2:00 PM – 4:00 PM EST): Webex English
Other Market Participants (OMP) accounts are now available in the Credit and Tracking System. See the Tracking System and Public Registry tab for more information on how to open an account.
New resources are now available for the Reducing Greenhouse Gas Emissions from Refrigeration Systems, Improved Forest Management on Private Land, and Reducing Enteric Methane Emissions from Beef Cattle federal offset protocols.
Services and information
GHG offsets toolkit
Information and resources related to carbon markets and offset systems primarily intended for Indigenous audiences, but helpful to anyone
Indigenous engagement
Engagement in federal offset protocol development and capacity building for Indigenous peoples
Compendium of Federal Offset Protocols
A listing of federal offset protocols available for use under Canada’s GHG Offset Credit System
Contact information
For inquiries on the Credit and Tracking System: CreditsCompensatoiresSCSC-OffsetsCATS@ec.gc.ca.
For general inquiries on Canada’s GHG Offset Credit System: creditscompensatoires-offsets@ec.gc.ca.