Federal offset protocol: Improved forest management on private land

Forests have a large capacity to sequester carbon by removing carbon dioxide (CO₂) from the atmosphere and converting it into biomass through photosynthesis. This carbon is stored in the forest as live biomass as well as dead organic matter and forest soil.

The Improved Forest Management on Private Land federal offset protocol creates an incentive for forestland owners and project proponents to carry out forest management activities that go beyond their business-as-usual management practices to increase the carbon stored within managed forests. These activities will generate greenhouse gas (GHG) emission reductions and removals for which federal offset credits may be issued under the Canadian Greenhouse Gas Offset Credit System Regulations. Examples of activities include reducing harvest, thinning, increasing rotation ages, and reducing competing brush.  

The protocol is applicable to projects on private land and land where Indigenous people have exclusive use and occupation. It is not applicable to projects on provincial or federal Crown lands (except First Nation reserves) and public lands in the territories.

The protocol was developed by Environment and Climate Change Canada with input from a team of external technical experts, including those with expertise in forest offset project development and implementation, GHG quantification, verification, offset protocol development, and relevant academic research, as well as from experts in the Government of Canada, provinces and territories.

Indigenous people were engaged on the development of the protocol. A Protocol Focus Group (PFG) composed of participants with experience and knowledge regarding Indigenous-led offset projects, forestry or community interests was formed to gather perspectives on the protocol.

Access the protocol

Improved forest management on private land, version 1.1

Other resources

Federal offset protocol overview: Improved forest management on private land

Webinar presentation providing an overview of the Improved Forest Management on Private Land federal offset protocol (May 2024). To receive a copy of the presentation, please send us an email at: creditscompensatoires-offsets@ec.gc.ca.