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Low Carbon Fuel Standard requirements

Last updated on April 30, 2025

If you market diesel, gasoline, jet fuel or an alternative in B.C., you must report your fuel supply under the Low Carbon Fuel Standard (LCFS).

You are the marketer if the diesel, gasoline or jet fuel was reportably supplied in a compliance period, and you are responsible for the fuel at the end of the compliance period.

The term reportably supply is explained in section 6 (2) [supply and marketing of fuel].

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Renewable and low carbon fuel targets

The Low Carbon Fuel Standard puts in place two main targets to reduce B.C.'s reliance on fossil fuels:

  • Reduce the environmental impact of fuels
  • Spur growth in the clean fuels industry

Renewable fuel targets

Companies that supply fossil fuels subject to the Low Carbon Fuels Act must include eligible renewable fuels in their fuel pool each year.

Minimum renewable volumes
Fuel type 2024 2025 2026 2027 2028 2029 2030 onward
Gasoline 5% 5% 5% 5% 5% 5% 5%
Diesel 4% 8% 8% 8% 8% 8% 8%
Jet fuel 0% 0% 0% 0% 1% 2% 3%

Eligible renewable fuels

The minimum renewable volumes above must be met with eligible renewable fuels.

Gasoline fuel category

Biomass-derived (BD) gasoline, BD ethanol and BD naphtha.

Effective January 1, 2026, eligible renewable fuels in the gasoline category must be produced in Canada.

Diesel fuel category

Biomass-derived diesel fuel and biodiesel.

Effective April 1, 2025, eligible renewable fuels in the diesel category must be produced in Canada.

Jet fuel category

Biomass-derived jet fuel.

There is no Canadian production requirement for eligible renewable fuels in the jet fuel category.

Low carbon fuel targets

Companies that sell fossil fuel or their alternatives must meet annual carbon intensity (CI) targets.

Baseline carbon intensities

The baseline carbon intensities for fuels are:

  • Gasoline 93.67g CO2e/MJ
  • Diesel 94.38g CO2e/MJ
  • Jet fuel 88.83g CO2e/MJ

Applicable purposes

Low carbon fuel requirements apply to transportation and the following prescribed purposes:

  • Cargo handling equipment at ports
  • Ground support equipment at airports
  • A forklift at any location in B.C.

Review RLCF-022 Prescribed non-transportation purposes to learn more

Reduction schedules

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Diesel and gasoline

Diesel and gasoline reduction schedule
Year Reduction % Diesel target CI
(g CO2e/MJ)		 Gasoline target CI
(g CO2e/MJ)
2024 16% 79.28 78.68
2025 18.30% 77.11 76.53
2026 20.60% 74.94 74.37
2027 23% 72.67 72.13
2028 25.30% 70.50 69.97
2029 27.70% 68.24 67.72
2030 30% 66.07 65.57

The CI targets in these tables are rounded to two decimal places for simplicity. Actual values are used in the Compliance Unit Calculator (74.9KB) and LCFS Portal, and can be calculated using the annual percent reduction of the default carbon intensity.

 

Aviation

Aviation reduction schedule
Year Reduction % Jet fuel target CI (g CO2e/MJ)
2024 0% 88.83
2025 0% 88.83
2026 2% 87.05
2027 4% 85.28
2028 6% 83.50
2029 8% 81.72
2030 10% 79.95

The CI targets in these tables are rounded to two decimal places for simplicity. Actual values are used in the Compliance Unit Calculator (74.9KB) and LCFS Portal, and can be calculated using the annual percent reduction of the default carbon intensity.

The Renewable and Low Carbon Fuel targets extend past 2030.

Reporting requirements

The compliance period is from January 1 to December 31.

Compliance reports are due on March 31 of the following year.

Learn more about reporting requirements in these information bulletins:

Learn how to use the reporting system

Exemptions

As of 2022, less than one percent of gasoline and diesel fuel supplied in B.C. is exempt. Read RLCF-007 Requirements regulation summary for annual volumes of exempt fuel.

The exemption limit for diesel and gasoline is 200,000L combined.

Organizations can be exempt from jet fuel requirements even if they are not exempt from other fuel categories. This jet fuel exemption limit is:

  • 100 million L from 2024 to 2027
  • 10 million L from 2028 to 2029
  • 4 million L from 2030 onward

Exemption reports are due by March 31 following the annual compliance period. If you submit an exemption report, you do not need to submit a compliance report.

Read more about exemption reports in RLCF-005

Apply for diesel and gasoline exemption

Step 1: Complete an exemption report

Step 2: Email the report to LCFS@gov.bc.ca

Apply for jet fuel exemption

The exemption process for aviation fuel is different from gasoline and diesel. 

Organizations will need to register for the LCFS portal and submit the fuel supply information as you would in a compliance report. Then the exemption will be applied through the portal.

Labelling requirements

Labels are required at gas pumps for:

  • Diesel fuel mixed with biodiesel, if more than 5 percent is biodiesel
  • Gasoline mixed with ethanol, if more than 10 percent is ethanol

Read more about labelling requirements in RLCF-004

Compliance and enforcement

It is the responsibility of the obligated parties to ensure compliance with the Low Carbon Fuel Standard (LCFS). We uses a variety of compliance and enforcement tools to gather information, obtain compliance, and deter future non-compliance with the LCFS.

Compliance and enforcement tools may include:

  • Informal communications
  • Formal letters (information requests or warnings) 
  • Audits
  • Inspections
  • Administrative monetary penalties
  • Court prosecution

Non-compliant organizations

For a list of actions resulting in penalties, and to review organizations that fail to meet their requirements read RLCF-021

Under the LCFS, this information may be published: 

  • Legal name
  • Amount of penalty
  • The legislation or regulations the regulated party failed to follow

Contact information

Have questions or need help? Reach out to the Low Carbon Fuels Branch.

Email
LCFS@gov.bc.ca
Mailing Address
Low Carbon Fuels Branch
Ministry of Energy and Climate Solutions
PO BOX 9314 STN PROV GOVT
Victoria BC V8W 9N1