List of Recognized Offset Programs and Protocols for the Federal OBPS

The Greenhouse Gas Pollution Pricing Act permits a unit or credit recognized under the federal Output-Based Pricing System Regulations (OBPS Regulations) as a compliance unit to be remitted by persons responsible for covered facilities as compensation for excess emissions.

A recognized unit is a credit or unit recognized as a compliance unit under the OBPS Regulations. The unit or credit is recognized as a compliance unit if it is issued by a province or territory under an offset protocol and offset program that is specified on Environment and Climate Change Canada’s List of Recognized Offset Programs and Protocols for the federal OBPS (see below). In addition, at the time of remittance, all recognized units must be valid, have been generated from a project located in Canada with a project start date of January 1, 2017 or later, and have been verified by an accredited verification body in good standing, in accordance with the OBPS Regulations.

Only provincial or territorial offset programs and offset protocols that meet the specific eligibility criteria outlined in the OBPS Regulations will be placed on the List of Recognized Offset Programs and Protocols for the federal OBPS below. This placement will occur, once arrangements are in place with the respective province or territory for tracking and use of eligible offset credits as recognized units for compensation under the federal OBPS.   

Environment and Climate Change Canada will update the List of Recognized Offset Programs and Protocols for the federal OBPS on this page below from time to time, to add or remove protocols, as provinces and territories put in place new eligible protocols, including updates to existing ones, or as new offset programs are established.

List of Recognized Offset Programs and Protocols for the Federal OBPS

Recognized Program: Alberta Emission Offset System

Program Authority: Alberta Environment and Parks – Climate Change and Implementation Branch

Website: https://www.alberta.ca/alberta-emission-offset-system.aspx

Program Listing Date: August 25, 2020

Recognized protocols

• Quantification protocol for aerobic composting
  • Version 3.0
    • published September 1, 2018
    • listed August 25, 2020
• Quantification protocol for aerobic landfill bioreactor projects
  • Version 2.0
    • published September 26, 2016
    • listed August 25, 2020
• Quantification protocol for greenhouse gas emission reductions from pneumatic devices
  • Version 2.0
    • published January 25, 2017
    • listed August 25, 2020
  • Version 2.1
    • published May 12, 2020
    • listed August 25, 2020
• Quantification protocol for reducing greenhouse gas emissions from fed cattle
  • Version 3.0
    • published February 25, 2016
    • listed August 25, 2020
• Quantification protocol for selection for low residual feed intake in beef cattle
  • Version 1.0
    • published April 1, 2012
    • listed August 25, 2020

Recognized Program: British Columbia Greenhouse Gas Emission Offset System

Program Authority: British Columbia Ministry of Environment and Climate Change Strategy - Climate Action Secretariat

Website: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/environment/climate-change/industry/offset-projects

Program Listing Date: August 25, 2020

Recognized Protocols

To be announced

For further information on requirements for use of recognized units for compensation under the federal OBPS, see:

• General Guidance on Using Eligible Provincial Offset Credits as Recognized Units for Compensation under the Federal OBPS (PDF)

• Guidance on Using Eligible Alberta Emission Offsets as Recognized Units for Compensation under the Federal OBPS (PDF)