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VCS eases rules for issuing Canada carbon credits

Point Carbon

Local Offsets Helping

Transaction Advances Alberta’s Carbon Market, Benefiting Local Farmers

Local Offsets Helping

Since the provincial Climate Change and Emissions Management Act was introduced last year, carbon emissions in excess of a certain target level have been subject to a carbon tax of $15 per tonne, which is paid into an environmental technology fund.

To reduce their tax expense, oil companies and other emitters have the option to purchase carbon credits also known as “offsets” from suppliers at a cost less than the tax amount. Suppliers include farmers, who can have a positive impact on the environment through the implementation of farming practices,such as zero tilling. “That helps the environment now and of course, farmers get paid by the large emitters, so that creates a value added revenue source that the farmer didn’t expect,” says Coulter. “People bid up the price. That’s a better deal for our farm families, because of course, the better price that we get the more money they get in their pockets, plus it’s a process we can keep doing over and over again.” Robert Coulter, President and CEO talking about the online auction process. - Didsbury Review -