U.S. Livestock Protocol

The Livestock Protocol provides guidance to calculate, monitor, report, and verify GHG emission reductions associated with installing a manure biogas control system for livestock operations, such as dairy cattle and swine farms. The protocol was first adopted by the Reserve Board in June 2007.

Versions 1.0 through 3.0 of the Livestock Protocol were approved by the California Air Resources Board (ARB) and credits issued under these versions are eligible to be Early Action Offset Credits.  In June 2013, ARB published a notice on its website regarding early action project guidance.  The notice may be accessed here: http://www.arb.ca.gov/cc/capandtrade/offsets/offsets.htm

The Reserve is working closely with ARB to assist with its review of all Reserve-issued guidance relating to this protocol and the Reserve’s other four protocols that ARB adopted for early action.  ARB retains final authority as to what guidance will be accepted for use in the compliance program.

Protocol Supporting Documents

The documents and tools below are made available to account holders upon request. The tools are designed to help livestock project developers organize their project data and facilitate verification. Use of the tools is optional; however, it may be useful in identifying important aspects of the Livestock Protocol and streamlining verification. Whether the project developer decides to use the Reserve’s Calculation Tool or their own, the tool must be submitted to the Reserve during verification.

Reserve Livestock Calculation Tools
Protocol Version Relevant Document/Tool Description
U.S. Livestock Protocol Version 3.0 Reserve Livestock Calculation Tool Version 3.0l (July 2022) The Reserve has developed the Livestock Calculation Tool to assist with the quantification of projects using the U.S. Livestock Protocol. If you are developing a livestock project and would like to receive a copy of this tool, please send an e-mail to: [email protected]. In the body of the e-mail message, please include the following information:

  1. Reserve Project ID number
  2. Dates of the current reporting period for your project
  3. Version of the livestock protocol for which the tool will be used

The use of this tool is optional, but only the most current version should be used for project quantification. The current versions utilize IPCC’s 5th Assessment Report Global Warming Potential Values.
U.S. Livestock Protocol Version 4.0 Reserve Livestock Calculation Tool Version 4.0h (July 2022)
Project Registration Documents
Document Description Required Phase Privilege
Livestock Project Submittal Form A proposal to undertake a livestock gas capture and destruction project. Project Submittal Public
Livestock Baseline Diagram Diagrammatic representation of the waste management system existing on the project site prior to project implementation. Project Submittal Public
Project System Diagram A project diagram is required for non-sequestration projects. See the example livestock diagram for recommended format and content. Verification Private
Livestock Sample Monitoring Report This report is required when a project elects to take a zero-credit reporting period (see section 3.4.7 of the Reserve Program Manual) or when choosing verification period Option 3 (see section 8 of the Livestock Project Protocol). Verification Private
Reserve Livestock Calculation Tool The Reserve has developed the Livestock Calculation Tool to assist with the quantification of projects using the U.S. Livestock Protocol. Project developers may use the Reserve Livestock Calculation tool but are not required to do so. Whichever calculation tool that is utilized by the project developer must be submitted to the verification body and the Reserve during verification. Verification Private
Livestock Project Design Document The purpose of this document is to assist livestock project developers in identifying high areas of risk, highlight important aspects of the U.S. Livestock Protocol, and facilitate verification. To request a copy, please send an email to [email protected] and indicate your Reserve Project ID number and dates of the current reporting period. Verification Private

Protocol Development & Previous Versions

Use the links below to access information about the original protocol development process and view previous versions of the Livestock Protocol. Public comments, staff responses to public comments, workgroup participants, and other supporting documents can also be found here.

Click a version of the protocol below to access more information:

Please contact the Reserve with questions or comments.