The Alberta Offset System requires compliance-based offsets to be created and verified according to a Government-approved Quantification Protocol.
The development of a new protocol may often require the coordination of relevant scientific research and/or technical data related to the GHG reduction activity and/or the baseline approaches. The strength of a protocol ultimately relies on the extent to which the technical seed documents have been developed from science review and coordination of expert opinions on the subject matter. Technical Documents should contain the most recent and relevant science from well-established sources, and ratify the link between practice change or new technologies, and quantified GHG reductions. While optional, the document can be strengthened through workshops of relevant experts, to weigh in on synthesis science and technical issues under the discipline of the ISO 14064-2 principles.
This section provides information from Science Coordination/Consultation Workshops that have occurred for Quantification Protocols Under Consideration and currently being developed for consideration of use in the Alberta Offset System.
Alberta Protocol Development Workshops
Cattle Residual Feed Intake Quantification Protocol
Science Coordination Workshop – March 16, 2009, Leduc, Alberta
The purpose of this workshop is to identify proposed options and engage key scientific researchers, technical experts, and qualified industry experts to provide advice and agreement on standardized quantification methods and best available science on greenhouse gas (GHG) emission reductions associated with residual feed intake in beef cattle.
Dr. Paul Arthur, from the Elizabeth Macarthur Agricultural Institute in New South Wales, AU, prepared a Science Discussion Document (see below) for discussion at the workshop. This document was developed as guided by the requirements of the ISO 14064-2 Project-level Quantification Standard, and the Best Practice Guidance on quantification provided by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change and Canada’s National Emissions Inventory methodology for agriculture.
The next step for this quantification protocol is to develop a Technical Seed Document(s) (TSDs) that will specifically identify the practices (including applicability, eligibility, and criteria per Alberta Offset System) that will lead to the project specific emission reductions and draw upon Best Practice Guidance to identify the relevant activity data, emission factors and formulae. The TSDs are the underpinning technical resources that guide adaptation of technical elements into the ISO 14064-2 Alberta Protocol format.
 Agenda
Participant List
Record of Discussion and Polling
Science Discussion Document
Presentations
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Summerfallow Reduction Quantification Protocol
Science Consultation Workshop – November 15, 2008, Edmonton, Alberta
Climate Change Central with Alberta Agriculture and Rural Development coordinated a one-day science consultation workshop to bring forward discussion, agriculture research and consensus on various elements of a Quantification Protocol for reducing summerfallow in Alberta.
This quantification protocol is expected to begin initiation of the Alberta Review Process first round of technical review tentatively being held on February 26, 2008, with possible finalization and submission for government review by April 2009.
Agenda
Participant List
Record of Discussion and Polling
Presentations and Discussion Guide
Science Discussion Document
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Nitrous Oxide Emission Reduction (NERP) Quantification Protocol
Science Coordination Workshop – October 28 & 29, 2008, Calgary, Alberta
Climate Change Central with the Canadian Fertilizer Institute coordinated a two-day workshop to discuss developments in agricultural science and reach consensus on various elements of the proposed Nitrous Oxide Reduction protocol with stakeholders, industry, and research scientists through-out North America.
This protocol is currently in the process of developing a Final Decision Paper stemming from the Science Coordination Workshop. It is expected to initiate the Alberta Protocol Review Process rounds of technical review in the Fall 2009.
Agenda
Participant List
Presentations and Discussion Guides
Record of Discussion
Workshop Report
Science Discussion Document
The workshop achieved consensus on the main elements of the NERP, although the participants of the Consultation Workshop identified some gaps requiring further development.
The following document presents the background, context, and decisions for Phase 3B of the Nitrous Oxide Emission Reduction Protocol (NERP) Webinar that was held on June 30, 2009. This Decision Paper is intended to facilitate consensus among scientific researchers and technical practitioners concerning the remaining decisions needed to complete the technical and operational framework of the NERP. This protocol has now begun Phase 4 – Standardization into the approved Alberta protocol format, for eventual submission into the Alberta Protocol Review Process.
June 30, 2009 Webinar Discussion Paper
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Protocols Under Consideration
Native Rangeland Technical Scoping Document
A technical working group scoped the possibility for a Native Range Management protocol for the Alberta Offset System. The work was commissioned by Alberta Agriculture and Rural Development in the spring of 2008 and coordinated by Climate Change Central. The working group, guided by the work of Dr. Eric Bremer, SymbioAg Consulting, concluded the potential to reduce GHG emissions on land currently managed as native rangeland in Alberta is low. Very little native rangeland is currently considered unhealthy and maintenance of healthy rangeland is a priority for rangeland managers. Possible improvements due to seeding of legumes or application of compost are likely only feasible and effective for land that is being reclaimed as native rangeland, not land that is already managed reasonably well. Increases in carbon storage due to improved rangeland health are difficult to quantify because a small increase must be detected against a large, highly variable background.
Conversion of degraded cropland to native rangeland can potentially reduce GHG emission due to increased C storage. This mitigation activity is best considered as a protocol option for the conversion of annual croplands to perennial forages. For more details, please see the above document.
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