First Review of the Alberta Offset System - 2007 Compliance Year

July 3, 2008 Offset System Consultation

On July 3, 2008, Climate Change Central coordinated a feedback process and discussion on the Offset Components of the Specified Gas Emitters Regulation. The intention of this session was to identify areas for improvement or outstanding issues that need to be resolved. Prior to the workshop, a comparison study of well-established markets, relative to the first cycle of the Offset System function was commissioned. Arising from this work, further identification of what worked and what needs to be improved in the Alberta offset market, was collected via a series of online surveys to verifiers, buyers, sellers and offset suppliers. These results were compiled into a discussion paper circulated prior to the workshop, to help stimulate thinking and identify options for improvement.

At the workshop, Alberta Environment presented an overview of the first compliance cycle including issues encountered, lessons learned, and feedback to date.

Larry Ruud (Meyers Norris Penny) and Fred Siemens (Weber Commodities Inc.) presented the results of the study, commissioned by Alberta Environment, on key elements to provide market integrity and gap analysis of Alberta market function in 2007.

An overview of the offset consultation survey results was also presented.

Two group break-out sessions allowed participants to confirm and identify further issues related to the offset system and distinguish solutions-based priorities for the short, medium, and long term.

Final comments were provided by Karen Haugen Kozyra (Climate Change Central).

Alberta Environment will combine feedback from the workshop with results from facility and offset project audits for the purposes of continuous improvement of the offset system.