Here are some helpful resources and tools to support Canadian SMEs in GHG emissions reporting, with a focus on practical guidance, tools, and government programs.
| Resource | Description | Link / Reference |
| Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC)- GHG Reporting Program. | Guidance to potential companies, including methodologies and technical information related to GHG emissions reporting. Single Window Access, Q&A | EN_2022 Technical guide |
| GHG Protocol – Scope 1, 2, and 3 Standards | Acts as a guide for companies and organizations preparing GHG emissions inventory.
Represents the global standards for calculating and reporting corporate emissions with standardized approaches and principles. |
GHG-Protocol-Reporting-Template.docx
Corporate-Value-Chain-Accounting-Reporing-Standard-EReader_041613_0.pdf |
| Canada’s Greenhouse Gas Quantification Requirements for 2024 | Updated annually and includes previous versions of quantification requirements | Canada’s greenhouse gas quantification requirements (2024) – Canada.ca |
| Environment and Climate Change Canada’s Greenhouse Gas Offset Credit System | Includes Emission factors and Reference Values – May 2024 | En84-294-2024-eng.pdf |
Additional tips helpful in finding and using relevant information to report GHG emissions
- Begin with your provincial reporting requirements or regulations. It helps to stay up to date with reporting regulations given the different thresholds and, where applicable, emission sources. In some cases, the provincial reporting requirement may align with federal greenhouse gas reporting program or use the federal single window system.
- Incorporate the federal GHGRP as a baseline regardless of provincial obligations as the federal framework set core requirements which can be integrated into provincial requirements.
- Pay attention to technical guidance documents to understand quantification. These documents explain in detail how to calculate emissions, relevant gases, methodologies and other important measurement information.
- Using the right emissions factor is crucial in ensuring accuracy and credibility of your ghg emissions report. It is therefore important to stay up to date with recent publications or updates on greenhouse gas reporting programs to ensure you are reporting your emissions with relevance and accuracy.
Other things to consider
- Generally, across most provinces, mandatory reporting may apply to businesses or facilities emitting 10,000 tonnes CO2e or more per year under the federal Greenhouse Gas Reporting Program (GHGRP).
- SMEs may want to begin reporting Scope 1 & 2 while considering the complexities of reporting Scope 3 emissions.
- Having a good inventory and adopting a recognized emissions accounting standard will help implementation/reporting efforts. It will also encourage consistency and credibility.
- Even if your SME is below the reporting threshold, it is always beneficial to build your internal emissions inventory and reduction plan.
