Issued Emission Reduction Credits - Ontario’s Emissions Trading Program Data

This historic dataset includes emission reduction credits that were issued under the now revoked Emissions Trading Program, by the Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks.

An emission reduction credit represented one tonne of approved emission reductions of NO or SO2. Non-capped entities were eligible to apply to the Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks to create credits for emission reductions, which these entities had achieved. After creation, credits could be sold or otherwise transferred to new owners on the Ontario Emissions Trading Registry. At the end of each year, each capped facility was required to balance its annual NO and SO2 emissions against the retirements of allowances and credits.

The program was set out under O. Reg. 397/01: Emissions Trading and O. Reg. 194/05: Industry Emissions - Nitrogen Oxides and Sulphur Dioxide, and ended in February 2021, as the program achieved its objectives by meeting its emission reduction obligations and targets.

The program set limits for nitrogen oxides (NOX) and sulphur dioxide (SO2) emissions from regulated facilities and allowed for the transfer or trade of emission allowances and credits between facilities, to provide flexibility for compliance. Regulated facilities included Ontario's large electricity generators, and petroleum, iron and steel, pulp and paper, flat glass, cement, carbon black, and base metal smelting facilities.