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Overview
Emission offsets are generated by projects that have voluntarily reduced their greenhouse gas emissions. Emission offsets are quantified using Alberta-approved methodologies called quantification protocols, and are verified by a third party in accordance with the Standard for Validation, Verification and Audit.
Emission offset projects must meet the requirements in the Technology Innovation and Emissions Reduction (TIER) regulation, the Standard for Greenhouse Gas Emission Offset Project Developers, and a relevant Alberta-approved quantification protocol.
Alberta emission offsets are registered and publically listed on the Alberta Emission Offset Registry currently operated by CSA Group.
Standards and guidance
- Standard for Greenhouse Gas Emission Offset Project Developers (version 3.0) Version 3.0 becomes effective for use January 1, 2020. This includes submission of Project plan forms and Project report forms provided as Appendix A and Appendix B of version 3.0 of the standard.
- Standard for Validation, Verification and Audit (version 5.0) This document outlines the requirements for validation, verification and audit under the Technology Innovation and Emissions Reduction Regulation. Version 5.0 becomes effective for submissions to the Alberta Emission Offset Registry November 15, 2020.
UPDATED: July 28, 2020 - Offset Verification Report Template (version 3.0) (DOCX, 107 KB) Starting January 1, 2020, the Alberta Emissions Offset Registry will only accept verification reports completed using Offset Verification Report Template (Version 3.0).
- Carbon Offset Emission Factors Handbook (version 2.0) Offset projects initiated on or after January 1, 2020 must use version 2.0 of the Handbook. Refer to the Standard for Greenhouse Gas Emission Offset Project Developers for further guidance.
- Technical Guidance for Offset Protocol Development and Revision (Version 2.0 2018)
- Technical Guidance for the Assessment of Additionality (Version 1.0 2018)
Quantification protocols
Approved protocols
- Aerobic Composting
- Aerobic Landfill Bioreactor
- Agricultural Nitrous Oxide Emission Reductions
- Biofuel Production and Usage
- Biogas Production and Combustion
- CO2 Capture and Permanent Storage in Deep Saline Aquifers
- Distributed Renewable Energy Generation
- Energy Efficiency Projects
- Energy Generation from the Combustion of Biomass Waste
- Greenhouse Gas Emission Reductions from Pneumatic Devices (Version 2.1)
- Landfill Gas Capture and Combustion
- Reducing Greenhouse Gas Emissions from Fed Cattle
- Selection for Low Residual Feed Intake Markers in Beef Cattle
- Solar Electricity Generation
- Waste Heat Recovery
- Wind-Powered Electricity Generation
Flagged protocols
The following protocols are flagged, which means that a project developer cannot initiate or implement an emission offset project without written authorization from the director.
For more information on applying to the director to use a flagged protocol, please see the Standard for Greenhouse Gas Emission Offset Project Developers.
- Engine Fuel Management and Vent Gas Capture (Version 2.0)
- Enhanced Oil Recovery (Version 1)
- Solution Gas Conservation (Version 1.0)
Withdrawn protocols
The following protocols are withdrawn, which means that no new projects can be initiated using these protocols. For information on withdrawn protocols, see the Standard for Greenhouse Gas Emission Offset Project Developers.
- Acid Gas Injection (Version 1)
- Aerobic Composting (Version 2.0)
The Quantification Protocol for Aerobic Composting Version 2.0 has been withdrawn and replaced with the Quantification Protocol for Aerobic Composting Version 3.0. - Anaerobic Decomposition of Agricultural Materials (Version 1)
The Quantification Protocol has been withdrawn and replaced with the Quantification Protocol for Biogas Production and Combustion (Version 1.0) - Anaerobic Treatment of Wastewater Projects (Version 1.0)
The Quantification Protocol has been withdrawn and replaced with the Quantification Protocol for Biogas Production and Combustion (Version 1.0) - Conservation Cropping Protocol (Version 1.0)
- Conversion of Drilling Rigs from Diesel-Electric to High Line Electricity Source (Version 1.0)
- Direct Reductions in Greenhouse Gas Emissions Arising from Changes in Forest Harvest Practices (Version 1.0)
- Emissions Reductions from Dairy Cattle (Version 1.0)
- Energy Efficiency for Commercial and Institutional Buildings (Version 1.0)
The Quantification Protocol has been withdrawn and replaced with the Quantification Protocol for Energy Efficiency Projects (Version 2.0). - Energy Efficiency Projects (Version 1) The Quantification Protocol has been withdrawn and replaced with the Quantification Protocol for Energy Efficiency Projects (Version 2.0).
- Energy Generation From the Combustion of Biomass Waste (Version 2.0) The Quantification Protocol has been withdrawn and replaced with the Energy Generation from the Combustion of Biomass Waste Quantification Protocol (Version 2.2).
- Engine Fuel Management and Vent Gas Capture (Version 1.0) The Quantification Protocol has been withdrawn and replaced with the Engine Fuel Management and Vent Gas Capture (Version 2.0).
- Enhanced Oil Recovery – Streamlined (Version 1)
- Fuel Switching in Mobile Equipment (Version 1.0)
- Gravel and Lightly Surfaced Road Rehabilitation Projects (Version 1)
- Greenhouse Gas Emission Reductions from Pneumatic Devices (Version 2.0) The Quantification Protocol has been withdrawn and replaced with Greenhouse Gas Emission Reductions from Pneumatic Devices (Version 2.1).
- Including Edible Oils in Cattle Feeding Regimes (PDF, 25 KB)
- Innovative Feeding of Swine and Storing and Spreading of Swine Manure (PDF, 25 KB)
- Instrument Gas to Instrument Air Conversion in Process Control Systems (Version 1.0) The Quantification Protocol has been withdrawn and replaced with the Quantification Protocol for Greenhouse Gas Reductions from Pneumatic Devices.
- The Quantification Protocol for Instrument Gas to Instrument Air Conversion in Process Control Systems has been withdrawn and replaced with the Quantification Protocol for Greenhouse Gas Reductions from Pneumatic Devices effective January 25, 2017.
- Landfill Gas Capture and Combustion (Version 2.0) The Quantification Protocol has been withdrawn and replaced with Landfill Gas Capture and Combustion (Version 3.0).
- Low-Retention, Water-Powered Electricity Generation as Run-of-the-River or an Existing Reservoir (Version 1.0)
- Modal Freight Shifting
- Nitrous Oxide Abatement from Nitric Acid Production (Version 1.0)
- Non-Incineration of Thermal Waste Conversion (Version 1.0)
- Reduced Age at Harvest of Beef Cattle (Version 2.0)
- Reducing Days on Feed of Beef Cattle (Version 2.0)
The Quantification Protocol Reducing Days on Feed of Beef Cattle has been replaced with the Quantification Protocol for Reducing Greenhouse Gas Emissions from Fed Cattle. (Version 3.0) - Substitution of Bitumen Binder in Hot Mix Asphalt Production and Usage (Version 1.0)
- Tillage System Management
The Quantification Protocol for Tillage System Management (February 2009) has been replaced with the Quantification Protocol for Conservation Cropping (March 2012) effective January 1, 2012 for offset credits generated in 2012 and forward. - Waste Heat Recovery Projects (Version 1) The Quantification Protocol has been withdrawn and replaced with Waste Heat Recovery (Version 2.0).
- Waste Heat Recovery – Streamlined (Version 1)
Documents for comment
Alberta's protocol development process is outlined in the Technical Guidance for Offset Protocol Development and Revision. As part of the development and revision process, draft protocols are posted for a 30-day public comment period.
Currently Open for Public Comment Period
Drafts previously posted – Comment Period Closed
- Draft Quantification Protocol for Enhanced Oil Recovery Projects (PDF, 1.8 MB)
- Draft Quantification Protocol for Biogas Production and Combustion (PDF, 1.0 MB)
Notices and updates
Memorandums
- Withdrawal of the Quantification Protocol for Conservation Cropping, (Version 1.0 April 2012) – December 14, 2020 (PDF, 262 KB)
- Flagging of the Quantification Protocol for Engine Fuel Management and Vent Gas Capture (Version 2.0) (PDF, 54 KB)
- Alberta Emissions Offset System Protocol Revision and Withdrawal (PDF, 35 KB)
- Interaction of Emission Offsets and Rebates from Energy Efficiency Alberta (PDF, 32 KB)
- Flagging Solution Gas Protocol (PDF, 26 KB)
- Carbon Offset Emission Factors Handbook (PDF, 108 KB)
- Notice of Change of Registry Service Provider for the Alberta Emission Offset Registry (PDF, 82 KB)
- Notice of Change for Global Warming Potentials (PDF, 41 KB)
- Ownership Requirements for First Nations Projects (PDF, 24 KB)
- Clarification on Eligibility Requirements for Aggregated Tillage Projects on First Nations Lands (PDF, 50 KB)
- Notice of Final Deadlines for Claiming Historic Offset Credits (PDF, 2.5 MB)
- Reminder on Third Party Verification and Audits Requirements (PDF, 1 MB)
- Notice of Eligibility Requirements for First Nations Tillage Management Projects (PDF, 2 MB)
- Ownership Requirements for Aggregated Tillage Management Projects (PDF, 48 KB)
- Notice to Aggregators Regarding Aggregation of Offset Credits Generated on First Nations and Metis (PDF, 2 MB)
Presentations
- 2019 CCIR Compliance Workshop Emission Offset presentation (PDF, 850 KB)
- 2019 TIER Emission Offsets Webinar presentation (PDF, 1 MB)
- 2018 CCIR Compliance Workshop presentation (PDF, 1.8 MB)
- 2018 CCIR Compliance Workshop presentation (PDF, 1 MB)
- 2017 SGER Compliance Workshop presentation (PDF, 308 KB)
- 2016 Specified Gas Emitters and Reporting Workshop presentation (PDF, 3 MB)
Subscribe to mailing list
This automatic email system distributes information pertaining to the Alberta Emission Offset System to subscribers. This list and the department’s website are the primary sources of information and updates on Alberta’s Emission Offset System.
The personal information collected through the Alberta Emission Offset System form may be used for the purpose of providing you with a subscription to updates on the Alberta Emission Offset System Mailing List.
This personal information collection is authorized under Section 8 (1)(2) of the Government Organization Act and Section 33(c) of the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy (FOIP) Act.
If you have any questions about this collection of personal information, you may contact the Director of Emissions Forecasting at 780-427-2654 or email the Climate Implementation and Compliance Branch at [email protected].
Contact
Connect with the Climate Implementation and Compliance Branch:
Email: [email protected]