Canada’s Greenhouse Gas Offset Credit System: Indigenous engagement

Indigenous peoples are key leaders in addressing climate change. Environment and Climate Change Canada aims to help Indigenous peoples participate in carbon markets.

Offset projects offer opportunities to earn credits by doing activities that help the climate. These credits can be sold in a carbon market.  

Projects must meet the rules in:

• the Canadian Greenhouse Gas Offset Credit System Regulations
• a federal offset protocol

Engagement of Indigenous Peoples in Protocol Development

Environment and Climate Change Canada works with Indigenous peoples to develop federal offset protocols. We do this through Protocol Focus Groups made up of individuals who have experience with the project type. Environment and Climate Change Canada also engages with national and regional Indigenous organizations.

If you would like to be part of a Protocol Focus Group to support development of a federal offset protocol, please contact creditscompensatoires-offsets@ec.gc.ca.

Building Capacity for Indigenous Peoples to Participate in Offset Projects

GHG Offsets Toolkit

Environment and Climate Change Canada developed a Greenhouse Gas Offset Toolkit. It contains factsheets and reference materials on:

• carbon markets
• components and rules of offset systems, and
• factors to consider when developing an offset project.

The factsheets are available in English, French, Ojibwe, Mi’kmaq, Woods Cree, and Swampy Cree.

Workshops and Information Sessions

Environment and Climate Change Canada is offering both in-person and virtual sessions on greenhouse gas offsets for Indigenous participants. These sessions provide details on opportunities to engage in carbon markets and Canada's Greenhouse Gas Offset Credit System.

To learn more, reach out to us at creditscompensatoires-offsets@ec.gc.ca.

Previous Engagement

Facilitating Projects on Crown and Public Land in Canada's Greenhouse Gas Offset Credit System (July 2024)

Carbon Pollution Pricing: Considerations for facilitating Indigenous participation in the Federal Greenhouse Gas Offset System (May 2022)