Canada’s Greenhouse Gas Offset Credit System: Protocols
Highlights
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 above for more information on how to apply.
Other Market Participants (OMP) accounts are now available in the Credit and Tracking System. See the Tracking System and Public Registry tab for more information on how to open an account.
| Protocol | Most recent version | Publication date | Provinces and territories where the protocol is applicable |
|---|---|---|---|
| Landfill Methane Recovery and Destruction |
1.1 | February 24, 2023 | Everywhere except British Columbia, Alberta and Quebec |
| Reducing Greenhouse Gas Emissions from Refrigeration Systems | 1.2 | January 27, 2025 | Everywhere except British Columbia Note: Projects located in British Columbia that are already registered remain registered |
| Improved Forest Management on Private Land | 1.2 | March 31, 2026 | Everywhere except British Columbia |
| 1.0 | October 24, 2025 | Everywhere except Alberta |
What is a Federal Offset Protocol
Federal offset protocols set out requirements for project implementation and methods for quantifying GHG emission reductions and removals for given project types. Only eligible project activities included in a published federal offset protocol will be able to generate federal offset credits in Canada’s GHG Offset Credit System.
Once final, federal offset protocols are included in the Compendium of Federal Offset Protocols.
How are Federal Offset Protocols developed
ECCC develops federal offset protocols on an ongoing basis. This is done with input from a team of external technical experts for each protocol (see below for more information). Technical experts include volunteers from relevant Canadian organizations and academia. We also have ongoing engagement with:
- experts in ECCC
- experts in other Departments
- provinces and territories
- Indigenous participants
Draft protocols are posted on Canada’s GHG Offset Credit System website for a comment period. This gives stakeholders and the public the chance to submit comments to help improve the quality and usability of protocols.
Emission Factors and Reference Values
Project proponents must quantify the GHG emission reductions and removals from their project using the methods in the applicable federal offset protocol. Project proponents must also use the emission factors and other reference values set out in the following document:
Protocol Development Status
ECCC is currently developing the following federal offset protocols:
- Direct Air Carbon Dioxide Capture and Geological Storage:
- The preliminary draft protocol was published for a comment period, which closed on March 28, 2025
- Reducing Manure Methane Emissions:
- The draft protocol was published for a comment period, which closed on April 29, 2025
- Enhanced Soil Organic Carbon
- Improved Forest Management on Public Land
- Bioenergy with Carbon Dioxide Capture and Geological Storage
Note that protocols listed as under development above may not all be completed and published. As protocols are completed and published, other project types will be considered for protocol development in the future.
Technical Experts
Roster of Technical Experts
To support federal offset protocol development, ECCC seeks voluntary input from external experts with significant expertise related to offset project development, GHG quantification, verification, sector-based best practices, offset protocol development, and/or relevant academic research.
Individuals with significant technical and/or scientific expertise who would like to be considered for placement on the Roster of Technical Experts are invited to submit a candidacy package. Submissions are accepted on an ongoing basis to support protocol development in the future.
A completed candidacy package for the Roster of Technical Experts must include the following documents:
- Up-to-date CV
- Roster of Technical Experts Candidate Profile Form, completed
- Personal Information Collection Consent Form, signed
To receive a copy of the above two forms, please send a request to creditscompensatoires-offsets@ec.gc.ca. Once completed, a candidacy package should be returned to the same email address.
For experts currently on the Roster of Technical Experts, updates to qualifications or project types of interest, changes to contact information, or requests for removal from the Roster of Technical Experts can be made at any time by contacting creditscompensatoires-offsets@ec.gc.ca.
Technical Expert Teams
ECCC will establish Technical Expert Teams made up of individuals from the Roster of Technical Experts to provide technical input on federal offset protocol development. As specific expertise is required for each project type, the membership of each Technical Expert Team will vary depending on the protocol. Not all individuals on the Roster of Technical Experts will necessarily be placed on a Technical Expert Team.
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.