December 19, 2011

A standard process to review offset protocols and recommend them for adoption into WCI Partner jurisdictions' rules and regulations will help ensure an adequate supply of high-quality offsets. 

The Western Climate Initiative (WCI) Partner jurisdictions today release the process to review and recommend offset protocols.

The WCI Design Recommendations (2008) recommend the establishment of a rigorous offset system to support the WCI cap-and-trade program. The Design for the WCI Regional Program (2010) recommends essential criteria for credible offsets, and that standards and processes for approving offset projects be developed in an open and transparent manner in advance of the start of the cap-and-trade program. The process to review and recommend offset protocols for adoption into WCI Partner jurisdictions support these objectives.

There are a number of offset protocols that have been developed and are in use in North America and across the globe. This final process provides a step-by-step description of how WCI Partner jurisdictions will review existing offset protocols in regards to how they meet WCI offset criteria. WCI Partner jurisdictions believe this process is fair, efficient, and will lead to high-quality offset credits that can be exchangeable across the region. Consistent, transparent processes are expected to lower project development costs and support learning and sharing of experience among WCI Partner jurisdictions and offset protocol developers. Stakeholder engagement, third party involvement, and regulatory oversight combine to ensure the environmental integrity of the program. The final process incorporates stakeholder feedback on the draft process released July 2011. The Final Offset Protocol Review and Recommendation Process is available here.