Assessment of the operating parameters of the Cap-and-Trade System
The Ministère de l’Environnement, de la Lutte contre les changements climatiques, de la Faune et des Parcs (MELCCFP) and the California Air Resources Board (CARB) are currently assessing possible adjustments that may be made to the Regulation respecting a cap-and-trade system for greenhouse gas emission allowances (Regulation) and, consequently, to the operation of the carbon market early next year.
A first webcast is organized to inform the public and SPEDE participants about the topics discussed during the pre‑consultations and the timetable for the evaluation of the system's operating parameters
Date: June, 14 2023
Hour: 2:30 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. (East hour)
To connect to the webcast, you must
click here. Please note that the webinar will be held in French only.
Information for Emitters and Participants on the Operation of the C&T System
Putting a price on carbon in the economy so that everyone’s decisions take greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and their impacts into account is an essential measure for meeting the climate change challenge.
In 2013, Québec set up a cap-and-trade system for greenhouse gas emission allowances (C&T system) to fight climate change. Its primary objective is to encourage businesses and citizens to innovate and change their behaviour in order to reduce GHG emissions.
In 2014, Québec linked its system to California’s as part of the Western Climate Initiative, thereby creating the largest carbon market in North America and the first to be designed and managed by sub-national governments in different countries. This market expanded again with the signing of an agreement with Ontario in September 2017, making the link between the Québec, California and Ontario markets official on January 1, 2018. Despite Ontario’s withdrawal when it repealed its cap-and-trade regulation on July 3, 2018, Québec and California are continuing their excellent collaboration and are committed to maintaining and further developing their regional carbon market.
Québec has chosen to pay all proceeds from carbon market auctions into the Electrification and Climate Change Fund, to finance measures to support companies, municipalities and private citizens for reducing GHG emissions and adapting to the impacts of climate change, as well as for continuing the transition to a robust, innovative and increasingly lower-carbon economy. It funds implementation measures stemming from the 2030 Plan for a Green Economy as well as ongoing commitments made under the 2013-2020 Climate Change Action Plan.
The carbon market is intended for the following companies (the emitters):
Requiring these companies to be subject to the C&T system ensures coverage of approximately 80% of GHGs emitted in Québec.
Since 2019, industrial establishments that report annual emissions equal to or greater than 10,000 t CO2 eq. but less than the threshold of 25,000 t CO2 eq. can voluntarily register to the carbon market to become emitters subject to the C&T system.
The carbon market is also accessible to natural and legal persons who wish to participate (the participants) such as investors, brokers, consultants, offset credits promoters, etc.
See the list of emitters and participants registered to the carbon market.
The carbon market is therefore a green fiscal tool that simultaneously allows for reducing GHG emissions and developing an entire strategic sector for the Québec economy (clean technology, energy efficiency, transportation electrification, etc.).
Documents
Links