Canada’s Greenhouse Gas Offset Credit System

Canada’s Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Offset Credit System encourages municipalities, Indigenous communities, foresters, farmers and other project developers to undertake innovative projects that reduce GHGs compared to business-as-usual practices. Proponents of offset projects can generate federal offset credits if they register and implement projects meeting requirements in the Canadian Greenhouse Gas Offset Credit System Regulations and an applicable federal offset protocol.

Offset credits are tradeable units representing verified GHG reductions achieved by a project either by reducing GHG emissions or increasing GHG removals from the atmosphere. Each offset credit is equivalent to one tonne of carbon dioxide reduced or removed from the atmosphere. Federal offset credits can be sold and used for compliance by facilities covered under the federal Output-Based Pricing System and the Clean Electricity Regulations, or sold and used by others who are looking to meet voluntary climate targets or commitments.

Canada’s GHG Offset Credit System is accepting project registration applications under the following federal offset protocols: Landfill Methane Recovery and Destruction, Reducing Greenhouse Gas Emissions from Refrigeration Systems, Improved Forest Management on Private Land, and Reducing Enteric Methane Emissions from Beef Cattle. Refer to the "Tracking System and Public Registry" tab below for details on how to apply.

Contact information

For inquiries on the Credit and Tracking System: CreditsCompensatoiresSCSC-OffsetsCATS@ec.gc.ca.

For general inquiries on Canada’s GHG Offset Credit System: creditscompensatoires-offsets@ec.gc.ca.