The Canada Grassland Protocol addresses GHG emission reductions associated with the avoided conversion of grassland to cropland for eligible projects in Canada. The Reserve partnered with Viresco Solutions to develop the protocol and protocol development was funded in part by the Canadian Forage and Grassland Association.
| Current Protocol Version(s) Available for Project Submittal | Adoption Date | Notes and Supporting Documents |
|---|---|---|
| Canada Grassland Protocol Version 1.0 | October 16, 2019 |
**Currently under revision**
|
Protocol Revision
- Section 3.5.4: Project Implementation Agreement
- Section 6.4: Monitoring Ecosystem Health
- Section 7.2: Reporting Parameters (Project Documentation)
- Section 8.5.1: Site Visits
Protocol Supporting Documents
| Document/Tool (version) | Description | Protocol Version Relevance |
|---|---|---|
| Canada GrassTool | The Reserve has developed a Canada GrassTool to assist with the quantification of projects using the Canada Grassland Protocol. Use of the tool is optional. To request a copy, please email policy@climateactionreserve.org. | Version 1.0 |
| Tonne-Year Accounting GrassTool | Coming soon – The Reserve is developing a Canada Grassland Calculation Tool to assist with the quantification of projects using the Canada Grassland Protocol and opting to use Tonne-Year Accounting. Use of the tool is optional. | Version 1.0 |
| Shapefile of Reporting Zones | Project eligibility and baseline emissions are determined at the Reporting Zone level. To support the identification of a project’s reporting zone, the Climate Action Reserve makes available this shapefile of Reporting Zones which was developed by Environment and Climate Change Canada and is used in Canada’s National Inventory Report. | Version 1.0 |
Project Registration Documents
| Document/Tool | Description | Required Phase | Privilege |
| User Guide for Grassland Project Protocol Forms | |||
| Canada Grassland Project Submittal Form | A proposal from a Project Developer to undertake a Canadian grassland project. | Project Submittal | Public |
| Canada Grassland Cooperative Submittal Form | A proposal from a Cooperative Developer to undertake more than one Canadian grassland project and bring them into their cooperative. | Project Submittal | Public |
| New Project Enrollment Form | A Cooperative Developer uses this form to add an additional project to their cooperative. | Public | |
| Cooperative Transfer Form | A Project Developer uses this form to leave a cooperative. | Public | |
| Project Area Map | Map that shows the general physical boundary of the project area. This is not the same as the georeferenced project boundary map (private) required during verification. See Section 7.2 of the protocol for further information. | Project Submittal | Public |
| Canada Grasslands Land Conservation Agreement Screening Form | This form is required to be submitted by projects using a land conservation agreement or other eligible conservation agreement under the protocol. It is recommended that this form be completed prior to executing the easement/agreement. Submission of the form as part of the initial listing process allows the Reserve the chance to ensure the proposed terms incorporated in the easement/agreement meet the requirements of the protocol. | Public | |
| Canada Grassland Contract Project Implementation Agreement (Contract PIA) |
This template is for informational purposes only. The Reserve will send the Project Developer an Information Request Form during the verification review to collect the necessary information for completing the PIA. Once the project is close to registration, the PIA will be sent to the Project Owner for execution. The PIA is a legal agreement between the Reserve and a Project Developer setting forth: (i) the Project Developer’s obligation (and the obligation of its successors and assigns) to comply with the Canada Grassland Project Protocol, and (ii) the rights and remedies of the Reserve in the event of any failure of the Project Developer to comply with its obligations. The Contract PIA is not recorded on the deed to the property. |
Verification | Public |
| Canada Grassland Recorded Project Implementation Agreement (Recorded PIA) – available upon request |
Please contact the Reserve if you plan to use a Recorded PIA for your project. The PIA is a legal agreement between the Reserve and a Project Developer setting forth: (i) the Project Developer’s obligation (and the obligation of its successors and assigns) to comply with the Canada Grassland Project Protocol, and (ii) the rights and remedies of the Reserve in the event of any failure of the Project Developer to comply with its obligations. The Recorded PIA must be recorded on the deed to the property. |
Verification | Public |
| Monitoring Report Template | A report stating the project’s estimated annual emission reductions, attesting that the project is carrying out the intended project activities, and confirming that no reversals have occurred on the project area. | Verification | Public |
| Monitoring Plan Template | This document is intended as a template to assist project developers in organizing project data, summarizing key aspects of a project, and to help facilitate verification. It is created at the beginning of a project, and updated over time as conditions change. | Verification | Private |
Knowledge Hub
- Canada Grassland Protocol V1.0 Overview (November 7, 2019)
Learn about the Canada Grassland Project Protocol, which addresses GHG reductions from the avoided conversion of grassland to cropland in Canada.
Please contact policy@climateactionreserve.org with questions or comments.