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 Companion Documents & Tools

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.

Protocol Version Relevant Document/Tool Description
U.S. Livestock Protocol Version 3.0 Reserve Livestock Calculation Tool Version 3.0k (January 2019) The Reserve has developed the Beta Livestock Calculation Tool to assist with the quantification of projects using the 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. 3. Version of the livestock protocol for which the tool will be used (the U.S. Livestock Protocol is currently the only variant that is supported, but other versions of the tool may be available at a later date

Use of this tool is optional, but only the most current version should be used for project quantification.
U.S. Livestock Protocol Version 4.0 Reserve Livestock Calculation Tool Version 4.0g (May 2018)
ARB Compliance Offset Protocols Livestock Projects (October 20, 2011) Reserve COP Livestock Calculation Tool Version 2011d (May 2014)
ARB Compliance Offset Protocols Livestock Projects (November 14, 2014) Reserve COP Livestock Calculation Tool Version 2014i (October 2016)
All protocol versions Livestock Project Design Document Template The purpose of this document is to assist livestock project developers in identifying high areas of risk, highlight important aspects of the 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.

Protocol Revisions

The Livestock Protocol is not currently undergoing revision.

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 Policy Team with questions or comments.