Generating (And Selling) Emission Offsets From Forest Activities In Canada

Canada is now one of several countries aiming to achieve net-zero greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions within the next 30 years. To reach this objective, Canada can look to some of its natural strengths to help offset current GHG emissions from non-renewable sources. One such strength includes Canada's expansive forest resources, which are in the process of being incorporated into Canada's evolving federal and provincial carbon pricing and emission offset frameworks.

Canada's forest resources

Canada's forest area totaled 347-million hectares in 2020, accounting for nine percent of the world's forest area and making Canada the third-most forested country in the world.¹ This forest area represents a significant opportunity for carbon sequestration, notwithstanding that Canada's managed forest area has in fact been a net source of GHG emissions over the last two decades (emitting more carbon dioxide than it absorbs) due to natural disturbances, mainly wildfires and insect