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The Canada Grassland Project Protocol opens opportunities for land conservation, emissions reduction and financial incentives to address climate change
Our newly adopted Forest Project Protocol Version 5.0 makes it easier for smaller forest owners to develop forest carbon projects
First Canadian offset protocol adopted by Reserve Board of Directors
Canada Grassland Project Protocol opens opportunities for land conservation, emissions reduction and financial incentives to address climate change
LOS ANGELES, CA – The Climate Action Reserve Board of Directors adopted the Canada Grassland Project Protocol (CGPP) Version 1.0, establishing a foundation for growing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions reduction opportunities in Canada and creating new financial incentives for the conservation of grassland. The offset protocol provides a standardized approach for quantifying, monitoring and verifying the GHG reductions from the avoided conversion of grassland to cropland in Canada. The protocol adaptation process initially began under contract with the Province of Ontario and its completion was made possible by support from the Canadian Forage & Grassland Association and Viresco Solutions.
“This is a significant development for advancing offsets in Canada and expanding participation across the continent. This protocol wouldn’t have been developed and adopted today if it hadn’t been for the steadfast support of and interest from Canadian groups that saw the value and importance in this opportunity. We were both proud and appreciative to work in collaboration with these leaders, including the Canadian Forage & Grassland Association,” said Linda Adams, Chair of the Climate Action Reserve Board of Directors.
The CGPP was modeled off the US Grassland Project Protocol V2.0 and adapted to conditions in Canada. Eligible lands are private and tribal lands that demonstrate clear ownership and at least 10 years of continuous grassland cover. Projects may receive credits for up to 30 years.
Development of the protocol involved extensive research, incorporation of existing Canadian rating systems and workgroup feedback to produce a protocol that lowers barriers for participation for land owners while maintaining the standards for rigor and integrity that are required for all Reserve protocols. To assist with making Canadian grassland projects more accessible, the CGPP allows project aggregation through “cooperatives” to reduce transaction costs while meeting the ownership and reporting needs of the Reserve’s voluntary program. Eligibility and quantification were also developed to be as streamlined as possible, relying on standardized tests and emission factors.
“This is an exciting first step in Canada for recognizing the significant contribution that Canadian grasslands are making to climate change mitigation through soil carbon sequestration,” said Cedric MacLeod, Executive Director of the Canadian Forage & Grassland Association. “I’m proud of the leadership role that the CFGA has had and the opportunity to assume this role. However, this is only a first step towards helping to conserve Canadian grasslands and monetizing the carbon stored in the soils below them. This is also an opportunity to communicate with Canadians about why grassland conservation is so crucial to achieving many of the ecological and environmental conservation goals shared by many Canadians. We’ve got big plans going forward. This is just a first step.”
The Reserve is developing an Adipic Acid Production Project Protocol that will provide guidance on how to quantify, monitor, report, and verify nitrous oxide (N2O) emission reductions at adipic acid production facilities. Join us September 17 for a public scoping meeting and submit a Statement of Interest form to join the workgroup by September 20.
Draft updated Program Manual released for public comment – comments due October 4
Errata and Clarifications released for the Mexico Forest Protocol Version 1.5
Draft Canada Grassland Project Protocol available for public comment – comments due Friday, September 13
Katie Sullivan elected to Climate Action Reserve Board of Directors
Carbon market veteran and globally recognized climate change leader brings deep market experience and strategic vision to the organization
LOS ANGELES, CA – Katie Sullivan, Managing Director of IETA, has been elected to the Climate Action Reserve Board of Directors. For IETA, Ms. Sullivan leads efforts to inform market solutions to address environmental challenges across the Americas and globally. Her work also focuses on overseeing IETA’s climate finance, aviation and digital innovation sustainability initiatives. Her carbon market expertise is recognized globally, and this year, she was honored as a Clean16 and Clean50 award recipient in Canada for her contributions to Clean Capitalism Leadership.
“Katie is truly a powerhouse and strategic visionary within the carbon market sector and beyond. She is the expert whom governments, businesses and nonprofits reach out to for advice. We are extremely fortunate for this opportunity to work closer with her and to have her experience and knowledge helping guide the growth of the Climate Action Reserve,” said Linda Adams, Chair of the Climate Action Reserve Board of Directors.
In addition to her work for IETA, Ms. Sullivan also sits on the University of Toronto’s Environmental Finance Committee, the newly-launched Canadian Institute for Climate Change Advisory Panel, the International Carbon Capture & Storage (CCS) Knowledge Centre Board, Ivey Foundation’s Climate Advisory Group, the Global Steering Committee for the Carbon Pricing Leadership Coalition (CPLC) and Blockchain for Climate’s Advisory Panel.
“I’ve worked with the Climate Action Reserve for many years now and observed its growth and contributions to California’s cap-and-trade program, the voluntary carbon market and the advancement of market-based climate solutions. I have also had opportunities to work with Board and staff members during this time and am honored for the opportunity to work even closer with the organization and its staff through the role of Board member,” said Ms. Sullivan. “It’s undeniable that climate change demands urgent action from us, and we have real opportunities to make an impact through organizations like the Climate Action Reserve, which prioritizes collaboration, integrity and quality in climate solutions.”
Please visit the Climate Action Reserve website to learn more about the organization and its Board of Directors.
Meet Cindy Chiang, Business Development Manager
1. What drives your environmental work and activism?
I think what drives me may be a bit idealistic but I think you have to aim high in order to make change. So, what drive me is the idea that a livable and just community is possible for people and places across the globe. I think the impacts of climate play such an important role in creating the tangible and intangible conditions necessary for a place where people can thrive.
2. What was one of your most exciting and rewarding achievements?
Oooh, good question. I always have trouble touting my own achievements, so I’ll just say that it’s ongoing! I think more in terms of progress, and believe I play a part to advance progress in support of achieving larger climate goals that the Reserve and our friends are all working towards.
3. Who is your hero (or someone you admire greatly)?
Gotta go with my grandma. She was a pioneer of microlending in our community before microlending was a concept (and now, in some contexts, more a catch phrase unfortunately!). She organized a small group of women in our neighborhood who met monthly to make sure that each home has the financial support they need on a day to day basis by leveraging the power of the collective and relying on trust amongst the women. She also lives in the most sustainable manner as anyone I know. It came not out of a scientific urgency, but out of love and respect for the Earth; it just came naturally to her, pun intended.
4. What are your favorite and frequently visited websites, and why?
I’ve been enjoying Gizmodo’s Earther lately. They have interesting content!
5. What was your most recent “That oughta be a law!” thought?
I think people in LA should be required to be okay with standing-room only buses. As someone who’s lived in Chicago and New York, it drives me bonkers when LA-ers refuse to get on a bus when they *think* all the seats are taken (they’re usually not), and then LA Metro keeps having to add more buses to meet transit demand. More buses is always good, but I think riders can be more efficient!
6. What is a tip you’d like to share for leading a more sustainable life?
Compost! It’s easy and really minimizes waste to landfill.
7. Please share a personal story that ties in with one of the Reserve’s protocol sectors.
I love composting, even at the small residential level that my partner and I do, it’s really been so great in terms of cutting down our waste to landfill, and also awesome for our plants in the garden.
8. What is your opinion on the progress of climate policy and carbon markets?
I think people who have done climate work for a long time are either a bit jaded, or on the other end of the spectrum, assume everyone has had the depth of knowledge about what possible climate solutions are out there. There’s so much more general population knowledge about the urgency of climate change and we are starting to see that knowledge trickle into support and voluntary action (and some regulatory, but that’s probably a longer road). Because of this, I think there’s still a ton of work to be done to educate about the solutions and also take advantage of this new support and knowledge from the public to really push for the solutions that have been tested but perhaps have struggled in the past. Of course, this also creates huge opportunities for cool new tech that we haven’t even dreamed of! Being more of an optimist, I think this is a very exciting time to be doing climate work.
9. If you could spend one week in a natural area in the U.S., where would it be?
Yellowstone National Park
10. What is an environmental book that you think should be required reading in schools?
Cadillac Desert by Marc Reisner—it’s such a great story about how humans and politics and ego literally changed the face of the earth. I think it’s a warning story, but also perhaps can open the imagination to what can be accomplished if we just had the will. https://www.amazon.com/Cadillac-Desert-American-Disappearing-Revised/dp/0140178244
Another book is Eric Klinenberg’s Heat Wave: a social autopsy of disaster in Chicago. It is an excellent story, beautifully written and effectively researched book that gives a forensic look at the human impacts of climate extremes, and links it back to what happens when there is no justice and equality in our cities. It’s also an excellent interdisciplinary book.
11. What is your favorite meal?
Asian-style noodles with tofu and eggs cooked by my mother.
12. What is something about you that your professional peers would be surprised to learn?
Not sure, hard to know the unknown I suppose!