The Reserve partnered with Viresco Solutions to develop a Grassland Protocol for eligible projects in Canada. The protocol provides guidance on how to quantify, monitor, report, and verify GHG emission reductions associated with the avoided conversion of grassland to cropland. This protocol development effort has been funded in part by the Canadian Forage and Grassland Association. The protocol was adopted by the Reserve Board in October 2019.
- Canada Grassland Protocol Version 1.0 (October 16, 2019)
(Combined 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 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 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.