There are four key steps to offset creation that an Agri-Trend Aggregator will go through when handling your acres. Understanding these steps will lead to further understanding of the Alberta Offset System. 

• 1. Offset Project Plan
  

  Includes a description of the baseline and project condition, as well as explicit sub-plans for quantification, monitoring and QA/QC procedures. The quantification protocol to be used for measurement of offsets must be included. A potential buyer will use this plan to help them make decisions on investment. A verifier will use this information to verify against.

  View the entire Tillage Protocol

• 2. Project Implementation
  

  While underway, it is important for the project developer to follow proposed monitoring plans and implement a data management system. Both investors and verifiers will need this information.

• 3. Project Reporting
  

  A detailed project report should outline the activities of the project, any changes from the initial project plan, methods and calculations for greenhouse gas emission reductions/removals, time period for the report, and any associated documentation and signatures. Central to reporting is the GHG assertion, where the developer makes a claim to a certain number of potential offsets. Verification will be done against this Project Report and the Project Plan, resulting in a Verification Report.

• 4. Offset Submission
  

  Once the Project Report and Verification Report are complete, the Project Developer submits parts of the two reports to the regulated emitter purchasing the offsets. By this time, the GHG assertion in the report and the statement of verification are interlinked and cannot be separated. They are submitted together to Alberta Environment along with the regulated emitter’s Compliance Report to satisfy the emitter’s compliance requirements.

* Percentage values associated with openers are based on average opener width (below ground) divided by row or shank spacing of the implement.

** Up to 10% of the surface area of a single agricultural field may be cultivated to address specific management issues