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Comparison Table 1:
General Features of Offset Programs
(last updated Jan 2011)
Read about General Features of Offset Programs
Name of Program |
Regional scope |
Type of Program |
Current Status | Start of Program |
Kyoto offset mechanisms |
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Clean Development Mechanism |
International (covers all countries that have ratified the Kyoto Protocol) |
Project-based offset mechanism under the Kyoto Protocol. |
Active until end of 2012, may be continued after 2012. | General rules established in 2001, first offset issued in 2005. |
Joint Implementation |
Annex-1 parties to the Kyoto Protocol |
Project-based offset mechanism under the Kyoto Protocol. |
Active until end of 2012, may be continued after 2012. | General rules established in 2001. |
Mandatory cap-and-trade systems |
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Australian Carbon Pollution Abatement Scheme |
Australia |
National cap and trade system proposed with offsets as potential compliance mechanism. |
Delayed | N/A |
Canada’s Offset System for Greenhouse Gases |
Canada |
National emission reduction targets with offsets as proposed compliance mechanism. |
In planning | N/A |
European Union Emissions Trading Scheme |
27 EU Member states, plus Norway, Iceland, and Lichtenstein |
Mandatory cap-and-trade program with offsets as a limited compliance mechanism. |
Active | Started in 2005 |
Midwest Greenhouse Gas Reduction Accord |
6 Midwest US states: (Iowa, Illinois, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Wisconsin) and 1 Canadian province (Manitoba) |
Regional cap-and-trade system with offsets as potential compliance mechanism. |
In planning | Start expected in 2012 |
New South Wales Greenhouse Gas Reduction Scheme |
NSW, Australia |
State per capita-based cap and trade system with offsets as unlimited compliance mechanism. |
Active | Started in January 2003 |
Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative |
Northeast US states: CT, DE, ME, NH, NJ, NY, VT, MA, RI, and MD |
Regional cap-and-trade with offsets as limited compliance mechanism. |
Active, no offset projects implemented yet. | Started in 2009 |
Western Climate Initiative |
Western states (AZ, CA, MT, NM, OR, UT, and WA) and Canadian provinces (BC, MB), Ontario and Quebec. |
Regional cap-and-trade system with offsets as potential compliance mechanism. |
In planning. Anticipated start Jan 2012. | Start expected in 2012 |
Other mandatory GHG systems |
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Alberta Offset System |
Canadian province of Alberta |
Provincial intensity-based emission regulations allow for unlimited offsets as a compliance option |
Active | Started in July 2007 |
State power plant rules (OR, WA, MA) |
Oregon |
Legislated emission standard |
Active | OR: Started in 1997 |
Washington |
Legislated emission standard |
Active | WA: Started in 2003 |
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Massachusetts |
State cap with offsets as limited compliance mechanism |
Ended Dec 2008. | MA: Started in 2006 |
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British Columbia Emission Offset Regulation |
British Columbia |
Provincial compliance program for the public sector with offsets as unlimited compliance mechanism. |
Active | Started in 2008 |
Voluntary standards (read about standards versus programs) |
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WBCSD/WRI GHG Protocol for Project Accounting |
Not defined |
GHG Project Accounting Standard |
In use. | Published in 2005 |
ISO 14064-2 |
Not defined |
GHG Project Accounting Standard |
In use. | Launched in 2006 |
Voluntary programs |
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American Carbon Registry |
International |
Voluntary GHG offset project program |
Active | Rebranded in 2008 (its predecessor, the GHG Registry was launched in 1997) |
| Carbon Fix | International | Voluntary GHG offset project program for forestry projects. Ex-ante and ex-post offset verification. | Active | Launched in 2008 |
Chicago Climate Exchange |
Originally only in the US but has been expanded. International membership possible. |
Voluntary compliance cap and trade with offsets as unlimited compliance mechanism. |
Discontinued in 2010. | Launched in 2002 |
Climate Action Reserve |
US (Mexico, Canada) |
Voluntary GHG offset project program. |
Active | Active since 2008 (its predecessor, the California Climate Action Registry (CCAR) was established in 2002) |
Climate Community and Biodiversity Standards |
International |
GHG offset project design standard for land-use projects with focus on co-benefits. (No emissions reduction verification: add-on standard) |
Active | Launched in 2005 |
Climate Leaders |
Primarily US |
Voluntary compliance program with offsets as unlimited compliance mechanism. |
Discontinued in 2010. | Launched in 2002 |
Gold Standard |
International |
Voluntary GHG offset project program with a focus on enhancing co-benefits. |
Active | Launched in 2003 |
Green-e Climate Program |
US focus/International |
Voluntary certification program for offset retailers |
Active | Launched in 2007 |
Green-e Climate Protocol for Renewable Energy |
US |
Voluntary GHG offset project design standard for renewable energy projects |
Active | Launched in 2007 |
| Panda Standard | China | Voluntary GHG offset project program | No projects yet. | Launched in 2010. |
Plan Vivo |
Developing countries |
Voluntary GHG offset project standard with focus on co-benefits. Ex-ante offset verification. |
Active | First project started in 1994 |
Social Carbon Methodology |
Developing countries (currently Brazil only) |
GHG offset project design standard with focus on co-benefits. (No emissions reduction verification: add-on standard) |
Active | First project started in 1998 |
VER+ |
International |
Voluntary GHG offset project program. |
Active | Launched in 2007 |
Verified Carbon Standard |
International |
Voluntary GHG offset project program. |
Active | Launched in 2007. Version 1 launched in 2006. |