Reporting industrial greenhouse gas emissions

Accurate and timely emissions data is essential to reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. The Greenhouse Gas Industrial Reporting and Control Act (GGIRCA) and its regulations set the rules for industrial emissions reporting and compliance in B.C.

On this page

• Who must report greenhouse gas emissions?
• Who must verify greenhouse gas emissions?
• What does reporting entail?

Who must report greenhouse gas emissions?

If an industrial operation in B.C. emits 10,000 tonnes or more of carbon dioxide equivalent ( CO₂e) per year, it must report their emissions. Operations must also report if they emitted more than 10,000 tonnes in any of the previous three years. These emissions must be reported annually. 

Some industrial operators must also participate in the B.C. Output-Based Pricing System (OBPS). This system has its own reporting requirements and is a carbon pricing model. It creates a price incentive that encourages industrial emitters to reduce emissions based on their performance.

All operators that must report emissions under the GGIRCA are defined as Reporting Operations. Operators in the B.C. OBPS are defined as Regulated Operations.

For more details, visit the Determine your reporting obligation webpage.

Who must verify greenhouse gas emissions?

Verification means using accredited third-party verification bodies to confirm details in emission reports. 

Verification is mandatory for all operations in the B.C. OBPS, regardless of emissions. Some operations report emissions but are not eligible for the OBPS. These operations must verify only if they emit 25,000 tonnes CO₂e or more annually. They must keep verifying for three cycles after emissions fall below this threshold.

Visit the Verify industrial emissions webpage for details.

What does reporting entail?

First-time and existing reporters have different requirements for reporting.

First-time reporters must:

1. Determine a reporting obligation
2. Register to report emissions

Registered annual reporters must:

1. Quantify industrial emissions
2. Verify industrial emissions through an accredited third party, if required 
3. Submit annual reports for industrial emissions