Canada Grassland Protocol

The Canada Grassland Protocol addresses GHG emission reductions associated with the avoided conversion of grassland to cropland for eligible projects in Canada. The Reserve partnered with Viresco Solutions to develop the protocol and protocol development was funded in part by the Canadian Forage and Grassland Association.

Current Protocol Version(s) Available for Project Submittal Adoption Date Notes and Supporting Documents
Canada Grassland Protocol Version 1.0October 16, 2019Combined PDF includes both the errata and protocol, with errata arranged first

Errata and Clarifications to Canada Grassland Protocol V1.0 (February 14, 2022)

Canada Grassland Protocol Version 1.0 Summary

Protocol Revision

Current update in progress
The Canada Grassland Protocol is currently undergoing a program revision update to Version 1.1. Program revisions are editorial and/or technical in nature and do not require a public comment period, nor do they require adoption by the Reserve’s Board. These revisions do not significantly change the policies or eligibility in the protocol but can change or revise quantification methodologies or monitoring requirements. The revisions will focus on the following:
  • Section 3.5.4: Project Implementation Agreement
  • Section 6.4: Monitoring Ecosystem Health
  • Section 7.2: Reporting Parameters (Project Documentation)
  • Section 8.5.1: Site Visits
Stakeholders may submit revision suggestions to [email protected].

 

Protocol Supporting Documents

Document/Tool (version) Description Protocol Version Relevance
Canada GrassTool The Reserve has developed a Canada GrassTool to assist with the quantification of projects using the Canada Grassland Protocol. Use of the tool is optional. To request a copy, please email [email protected]. Version 1.0
Tonne-Year Accounting GrassTool Coming soon – The Reserve is developing a Canada Grassland Calculation Tool to assist with the quantification of projects using the Canada Grassland Protocol and opting to use Tonne-Year Accounting. Use of the tool is optional. Version 1.0
Shapefile of Reporting Zones Project eligibility and baseline emissions are determined at the Reporting Zone level. To support the identification of a project’s reporting zone, the Climate Action Reserve makes available this shapefile of Reporting Zones which was developed by Environment and Climate Change Canada and is used in Canada’s National Inventory Report. Version 1.0

Project Registration Documents

Document/Tool  Description Required Phase Privilege
User Guide for Grassland Project Protocol Forms      
Canada Grassland Project Submittal Form A proposal from a Project Developer to undertake a Canadian grassland project. Project Submittal Public
Canada Grassland Cooperative Submittal Form A proposal from a Cooperative Developer to undertake more than one Canadian grassland project and bring them into their cooperative. Project Submittal Public
New Project Enrollment Form A Cooperative Developer uses this form to add an additional project to their cooperative.   Public
Cooperative Transfer Form A Project Developer uses this form to leave a cooperative.   Public
Project Area Map Map that shows the general physical boundary of the project area. This is not the same as the georeferenced project boundary map (private) required during verification. See Section 7.2 of the protocol for further information. Project Submittal Public
Canada Grasslands Land Conservation Agreement Screening FormA form that is not required, but highly recommended to be submitted by projects using a land conservation agreement or other eligible conservation agreement under the protocol. It is recommended that this form be completed prior to executing the easement/agreement. Submission of the form as part of the initial listing process allows the Reserve the chance to ensure the proposed terms incorporated in the easement/agreement meet the requirements of the protocol.Public
Canada Grassland Contract Project Implementation Agreement (Contract PIA) The PIA is a legal agreement between the Reserve and a Project Developer setting forth: (i) the Project Developer’s obligation (and the obligation of its successors and assigns) to comply with the Canada Grassland Project Protocol, and (ii) the rights and remedies of the Reserve in the event of any failure of the Project Developer to comply with its obligations. The Contract PIA is not recorded on the deed to the property. Verification Public
Canada Grassland Recorded Project Implementation Agreement (Recorded PIA) – coming soon The PIA is a legal agreement between the Reserve and a Project Developer setting forth: (i) the Project Developer’s obligation (and the obligation of its successors and assigns) to comply with the Canada Grassland Project Protocol, and (ii) the rights and remedies of the Reserve in the event of any failure of the Project Developer to comply with its obligations. The Recorded PIA must be recorded on the deed to the property. Verification Public
Monitoring Report Template A report stating the project’s estimated annual emission reductions, attesting that the project is carrying out the intended project activities, and confirming that no reversals have occurred on the project area. Verification Public
Monitoring Plan Template This document is intended as a template to assist project developers in organizing project data, summarizing key aspects of a project, and to help facilitate verification. It is created at the beginning of a project, and updated over time as conditions change. Verification Private

Protocol Development

The protocol development process for the Canada Grassland Protocol involved a multi-stakeholder workgroup, public comments, and responses to public comments. For more information, please visit:

Please contact [email protected] with questions or comments.