Dennis E. Haak, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, 1011 - 11 Innovation Boulevard, Saskatoon, SK S7N 3H5, Canada
Agricultural activities have been identified as both a source for greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and a sink for GHG removals. Specific practices such as no till, fallow reduction, and conversion of marginal annual cropland to perennial forage have been highlighted as having significant sink capability through the sequestration of soil carbon, and are considered as having potential for generating carbon offset credits. There may also be opportunity to reduce N2O emissions through more efficient management of nitrogen nutrients. A number of agricultural soil management projects and protocols in Canada currently or in the future could generate GHG offset credits. These include the Pilot Emission Reductions, Removals, and Learnings Initiative (PERRL), and various ISO 14064 based protocols. The presentation describes specific issues and challenges relating to quantification, monitoring, and verification of GHG emission reductions or removals for practices such as no till and nitrogen fertilizer reduction in corn production. It also presents options and possible solutions that are scientifically based, within the context of various policy considerations that potentially impact project feasibility. Policy considerations relate to the purpose of the offset credit and level of assurance required for the end user. These include baseline assessment, maintenance of soil carbon through a liability period, and adherence to various standards and guidelines (eg. ISO 14064).