New Greenhouse Gas Reporting Requirements in Effect

New greenhouse gas reporting requirements are now in effect to support the province’s cap and trade program.

The requirements are detailed in quantification, reporting, and verification regulations and standards that came into effect Feb. 15, along with the proclamation of amendments to the Environment Act.

The regulations and standards identify which types of companies must report, which greenhouse gas emissions they must report, and how to calculate and report them.

“With our cap and trade program, Nova Scotia will continue to be a national leader in fighting climate change,” said Environment Minister Iain Rankin. “Through these regulations, companies will submit the data needed for the province to continue developing the program. The regulations set thresholds to ensure the program captures most of the emissions in the province.”

The first reports are due May 1. In future years, reports will be due June 1. Companies will have to get their data verified by a third party by Sept. 1 every year.

Once the first reports are submitted, the Department of Environment will be able to identify which companies will participate in the cap and trade program, set caps for the program, and determine how allowances will be distributed.

The regulations state that the following types of companies must report their GHG emissions and get them verified by a third party:

• facilities generating 50,000 tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions or more per year from specified greenhouse gas activities, including electricity producers
• petroleum product suppliers that import or produce 200 litres of fuel or more per year for consumption in the Nova Scotia market
• natural gas distributers that deliver natural gas for consumption in Nova Scotia that, when combusted, produces 10,000 tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions or more per year

In another set of regulations being developed, the department intends to require these types of companies to participate in the cap and trade program. These regulations will also include more details on how the program will function. The department will consult with Nova Scotians on them in the spring.

Companies that are already known to meet these thresholds include Nova Scotia Power, Northern Pulp, Lafarge, ExxonMobil, Imperial, Irving, Wilsons and Heritage Gas.

The cap and trade program will begin in January 2019.

More information and links to the QRV regulations and standards are available at http://climatechange.novascotia.ca .