Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What protocols are currently available for me?
A: In Alberta there are 23 approved protocols with another 21 in draft mode.
They include: wind, energy efficiency, agricultural protocols including No Till,
3 Bovine protocols, manure management and swine.
Q: What is reduced or no till farming?
A: No Till or Reduced Till farming consists of direct seeding into standing stubble
with no cultivation or tillage of any kind. The use of narrow openers is required
for farmers to be eligible and no more than 38% of soil disturbance is allowed in
order to qualify as no till.
Q: What is the time period under which I can collect Offsets
A: In Alberta providing you meet the necessary requirements you can go back as far as 2002.
Once the offsets are verified and serialized they can be sold.
Q: Why can’t I sell my Offsets in Europe where they are worth more?
A: The European trading system does not allow ag soil sinks as a certified emission reduction.
Q: Do I have to be in Crop Insurance?
A: No as long as you take it upon yourself to get a custom seeded acreage report or other approved verification documents.
Q: Is Forage eligible?
A: Forage may be eligible in the future as new protocols are developed and approved. However at this time no offsets can be generated from forage.
Q: Why should I sign now?
A: Because it guarantees that you are able to take advantage of the Alberta approach and receive money now.
Q: Who buys these Offsets?
A: Large polluters, also known as large final emitters, such as thermal power generators are the main market for these offsets.
Q: Why would someone buy these offsets?
A: Environmentally regulated industries must comply with Alberta legislation. One way to meet their requirements is to "offset"
their emissions by buying them from participants that create an offset credit in Alberta.
Q: When is the next time I can contract?
A: Anytime.
Q: When do the credits get issued?
A: The credits don’t get issued until the audits are done. Once the audit process is
complete a report on the findings is done and then the report and the credits can be sold.
Q: When are the verifications done?
A: Generally the sales of offsets happen in lots of 100,000 or more.
Once an aggregation of this amount occurs verification takes place.
Q: When is the next time I can contract?
A: Anytime
Q: When do the credits get issued?
A: The credits don’t get issued until the audits are done. Once the audit process is
complete a report on the findings is done and then the report and the credits can be sold.
Q: When are the verifications done?
A: Generally the sales of offsets happen in lots of 100,000 or more. Once an aggregation of this
amount occurs verification takes place.
Q: If I go direct can I pay less commission?
A: No.
Q: How many acres can you contract?
A: There is no limit on the amount of acres that can be contracted.
Q: How can I bank my credits?
A: At this time there are no companies in Canada that you can bank your credits with but it is forthcoming.
Q: When do I get paid?
A: Once the Offsets are sold and revenue received from the purchaser.
Q: Is native pasture eligible?
A: No. It has had no change attributed to it.
Q: Is non productive or treed land eligible?
A: No. It is carbon neutral and will not sequester anymore carbon.
Q: What drives the price of carbon Offsets?
A: In Alberta the price is driven by the Provincial Government.
Q: Where else can I sell my carbon Offsets?
A: Sellers must supply a minimum of 50,000 tons per sale.
Q: If I get hailed out and don’t combine my land is it still eligible?
A: Yes, as long as you don’t do any tillage.
Q: Can my cows go and swath graze on the land?
A: Yes.
Q: If I take out my forage how do I stay eligible?
A: Roundup and then direct seed into it.
Q: How big is this market?
A: The North American market is estimated at three trillion dollars.
Q: I heavy harrow and land roll, is that O.K.?
A: Yes.
Q: If a fire burns down my field then do I get disqualified?
A: No. Only the credits for that year will be disqualified and there will be no penalty at all.
Q: If I chem.-fallow what happens to my Offsets?
A: No credits issued on that land for that year. Summerfallow protocol is in draft form that will address this practice.
Q: If I seed a forage crop half way through my contract what happens?
A: As long as it is direct seeded then all that happens is the rate will be upgraded to the forage rate.
Q: How long does it take to sell these Offsets?
A: There is no preset time.
Q: What are our total fees?
A: Although it varies generally it is a 60-40 split. 60% goes to the farmer and 40% to the aggregator.
Q: Why should I get involved?
A: Involvement helps make agriculture part of any mandated system that comes out. If we don’t get involved
we might not be able to take advantage of the financial rewards that are out there.
Q: How much paperwork is involved?
A: About 5 – 10 minutes per quarter.
Q: I rent some of the land I farm. Is that land eligible?
A: All lands are capable of generating carbon offsets. However only the legal owner of the land can enter
into a contract with an aggregator and sell the offsets generated. In cases where land is rented we
advise the owner and the renter to enter into a contract that specifies a revenue sharing structure
between the owner and the renter.
Q: Is chaff removal or baling of straw allowed?
A: It is not allowed at this time but is probably going to change.