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Cap and trade system for greenhouse gas emission allowances
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Description of the cap and trade system for GHG emission allowances
System registration forms
- Guide to completing the forms
(
format PDF, 133 ko) (French) - Emitter registration (French)
(
format Word, 1,3 Mo) - Non-emitter participant registration :
- entities (French)
( format Word, 0,9 Mo) - individuals (French)
( format Word, 216 ko)
- entities (French)
- Account representative designation form (emitters and entities) (French)
( format Word, 202 ko)
Additional information
- Text of the Regulation (administrative version,
PDF, 257 KB)
- Explanatory video (French)
- Evaluation of system-generated administration fees for businesses (format PDF,
154 ko) (French)
Press releases
- WCI progress report
(French - 2012-03-30) - Adoption of the Regulation (2011-12-15)
- Guide to completing the forms
- System registration
On December 14, 2011, the Government of Québec adopted the Regulation respecting the cap and trade system for greenhouse gas emission allowances. The implementation of this system will play a key role in the achievement of Québec’s GHG reduction objectives and will encourage the transition toward a green, prosperous economy that is less dependent on hydrocarbons. For business enterprises, the system will be synonymous with innovative leadership and new business opportunities, in a global market that increasingly demands good environmental practices.
Description of the cap and trade system for GHG emission allowances
The cap and trade system for GHG emission allowances will begin with an initial phase consisting of three compliance periods, the first of which will begin on January 1, 2013. 2012 is considered a transition year, to allow emitters and participants to familiarize themselves with how the system works.
- Starting in
May 2012,
emitters and
participants
will be able to
register with
the system. No
reduction or
capping of GHG
emissions will
be required
during this
transition year.
-
Exceptionally,
the first
compliance
period will be
for two years.
It will begin on
January 1, 2013,
and end on
December 31,
2014. The other
two compliance
periods will be
for three years
each.
- Starting on
January 1, 2013,
some 75
operators,
primarily in the
industrial and
electricity
sectors, whose
annual GHG
emissions equal
or exceed the
annual threshold
of 25 kt CO2e
(25 thousand tonnes of carbon
dioxide
equivalent),
will be subject
to the system.
- Starting on
January 1, 2015
(when the second
compliance
period begins),
the operators of
businesses that
distribute fuel
in Québec or
import fuel for
their own
consumption
(e.g., all types
of gasoline,
diesel, propane,
natural gas, and
fuel oil), whose
annual GHG
emissions due to
its combustion
reach or exceed
the annual
threshold of 25
kt CO2e, will
also be subject
to the system.
- Unlike
traditional
regulation,
where companies
must not exceed
an emission
standard (a
strict limit on
the discharge of
pollutants), the
cap and trade
system gives
companies
flexibility in
planning their
short, medium
and long term
investments. In
effect, the
system lets
companies buy
emission
allowances on
the market until
they are ready
to modernize or
replace certain
equipment.
- The most
efficient
companies, and
those that have
reduced their
GHG emissions
below the
regulatory
requirement,
could find
themselves with
an allocation of
emission units
that is higher
than what they
actually
produce. By
selling their
excess units,
such companies
could either
recover part of
their
investments or
use the proceeds
to engage in
further
optimization.
System registration
Emitters subject to the Regulation respecting the cap and trade system for emission allowances and participants who want to be part of the greenhouse gas market can now register.
Emitter registration
Emitters are entities subject to the Regulation respecting the cap and trade system for emission allowances. Emitters that will be subject to the Regulation starting in 2013 must register by September 1, 2012.
To register as an emitter, you must complete the Emitter registration (French) and the Account Representative Designation Form (French) and provide the required documentation.
Participant registration
Participants are any entities or individuals other than emitters subject to the Regulation respecting the cap and trade system for emission allowances who want to take part in the greenhouse gas market.
If you are an entity (organization), you must complete the Non-Emitter Participant Registration Form – entities (French) and the Account representative designation form (French) and provide the required documentation.
If you are an individual, you must complete the Non-Emitter Participant Registration Form - individuals (French) and provide the required documentation.
A guide is provided to help you complete these forms.
The forms and required documentation must be sent to the following address:
Bureau des changements
climatiques
Ministère du Développement
durable, de l'Environnement et
des Parcs
675, boul. René-Lévesque Est,
6th Floor, Box 31
Québec City, QC G1R 5V7
If you have any questions about the process or the registration procedure, please contact Bureau des changements climatiques by calling 418-521-3823, ext. 4681 or emailing spede-bcc@mddep.gouv.qc.ca.
