Federal Offset Protocol: Reducing Manure Methane Emissions
Storage of livestock liquid manure in anaerobic conditions (absence of oxygen) in storage structures such as lagoons, tanks, pits and under-barn storage systems produces methane, a powerful greenhouse gas (GHG). Implementing manure treatment systems can reduce methane emissions.
The Reducing Manure Methane Emissions federal offset protocol creates an incentive for livestock operation owners, manure treatment system operators, and other project proponents. It encourages them to implement projects that treat liquid livestock manure to reduce methane emissions from manure storage. Eligible manure treatment systems are:
- Chemical treatment (acidification), where an acid is added into the liquid manure before or during storage to reduce methane production
- Mechanical treatment, where liquid manure is separated into a liquid output with a lower organic content and a solid output that is stored aerobically, resulting in both outputs having a lower methane generation potential
- Anaerobic digestion, on-farm or at a communal facility, where the system is designed to maximize the anaerobic production of methane (biogas) to be used for energy generation
These project activities will lower manure methane emissions and may be issued federal offset credits under the Canadian Greenhouse Gas Offset Credit System Regulations.
For projects using anaerobic digestion, GHG emission reductions may also be generated for credit issuance when eligible biogas produced from manure is used for energy generation in place of fossil fuels. To be eligible, the biogas must displace fossil fuels that are not subject to federal or provincial pricing mechanisms for GHG emissions, and all protocol requirements related to fossil fuel displacement must be met.
The protocol was developed by Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) with input from a team of external technical experts. The team included individuals with experience in livestock manure management, manure treatment technologies, GHG quantification, verification, offset protocol development and relevant academic research. Experts in the Government of Canada and provinces and territories were also consulted.
Access the protocol
Reducing Manure Methane Emissions, version 1.0
Other resources
Protocol overview
Overview of the Reducing Manure Methane Emissions Federal Offset Protocol
Webinar presentation
Webinar presentation providing an overview of the draft Reducing Manure Methane Emissions federal offset protocol (March 2025). To receive a copy of the presentation, please send us an email at: creditscompensatoires-offsets@ec.gc.ca
Project registration application templates
- For an individual project:
- Project registration application template for projects using the Reducing Manure Methane Emissions Protocol Version 1.0
- For an aggregation of projects:
- Registration application template for an aggregation of projects using the Reducing Manure Methane Emissions Protocol Version 1.0 (Word document component)
- Individual project registration application template for projects included in an Aggregation of Projects using the Reducing Manure Methane Emissions Protocol Version 1.0 (Excel document component)
Verification report templates
- Canada’s GHG Offset Credit System verification report template
- Canada’s GHG Offset Credit System verification report annex template
Please note that verification report templates for verification of project reports under Canada’s GHG Offset Credit System differ from those used under the Output-Based Pricing System.
To receive the templates applicable to your project, contact the GHG Offset Credit System Operations Office at: CreditsCompensatoiresSCSC-OffsetsCATS@ec.gc.ca