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First ever federal carbon offset system incentivizes future climate projects in rural, remote, and Indigenous communities

PRESS RELEASE: First ever federal carbon offset system incentivizes future climate projects in rural, remote, and Indigenous communities, March 5, 2021 

March 5, 2021, Vancouver, BC — We are extremely pleased that the Government of Canada has proposed the country’s first-ever regulations for the creation of a carbon offset system today. It has been a long time coming for Canada, and it is needed now more than ever. The government has initiated a variety of measures to reduce GHG emissions, including emissions regulations and a carbon tax. However, these mechanisms don’t cover all sources of emissions, and leave a significant gap in incentivizing actions that make Canada a better, greener place. Carbon offset systems play a critical role in driving resources into projects that get or keep carbon out of the atmosphere.

Joseph Pallant, Director of Climate Innovation at Ecotrust Canada says, “I see carbon offset systems as ‘investing in the future we all want to see’ — protecting valuable ecosystems, restoring forests, managing waste better and phasing out climate-damaging technologies faster than regulation requires.”

“The federal offset system is thorough, well thought out, and generally encompasses the good-practice guidance I would hope to see in any offset system. Today’s document is actually quite impressive in scope and completeness.”

Ecotrust Canada is keen to ensure that pathways for enabling resource-dependent, rural, remote, and Indigenous communities to develop carbon offset projects are bolstered and enshrined. We are very supportive of the inclusion of Improved Forest Management as one of the four priority protocols for initial development. We will continue to encourage the federal government to develop an Avoided Conversion protocol for conservation projects that enable Indigenous communities to protect critical landscapes and create more tools that allow community priorities to manifest on the ground.


About Ecotrust Canada
Ecotrust Canada works with rural, remote, and Indigenous communities toward building an economy that provides for a healthy and resilient natural environment; sustainable and abundant energy, food, and housing; prosperous and meaningful livelihoods; and vibrant cultures and inclusive societies. We call this approach, building an economy that provides for life. Our on-the-ground work and systems approach is entrepreneurial, partnership-based and relentlessly practical. ecotrust.ca

For more information:
Shannon Lough – Communications Manager, Ecotrust Canada |  shannon@ecotrust.ca