Cap-and-Trade Regulations

Legislation

Amendments to the Environment Act allow government to create the cap-and-trade program and regulations to support it.

Cap-and-trade program regulations

The Cap-and-Trade Program Regulations and framework document outline how the program works. They include greenhouse gas emission caps, rules for distributing, buying and selling greenhouse gas allowances, and other details.

Reporting emissions and participating in cap and trade

The following types of companies must report their greenhouse gas emissions, get them verified by a third party, and participate in the cap-and-trade program:

  • Facilities that generate 50,000 tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions or more per year from one or more specified activities
  • Petroleum product suppliers that first place or produce 200 litres of fuel or more per year for consumption in the Nova Scotia market
  • Natural gas distributers that deliver natural gas for consumption in Nova Scotia that, when combusted, produces 10,000 tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions or more per year
  • Electricity importers with 10,000 tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions or more per year from imported electricity consumed in Nova Scotia

Reporting regulations

The rules for reporting greenhouse gas emissions are outlined in:

Greenhouse gas emission data for 2017 reported under these regulations is available in a summary report.

How to report

  • Companies must use the standard reporting form to submit greenhouse gas emissions reports and any additional information listed in the regulations and standards to Nova Scotia Environment.
  • Reporting via SWIM is preferred. Follow the instructions to register on SWIM. You must register before you can use it. Otherwise, reports can be submitted to GHGreporting@novascotia.ca.
  • Greenhouse gas emissions reports must be verified by an accredited third-party organization. Lists of eligible verification bodies are available at:
  • An attestation form must accompany greenhouse gas emissions reports for fuels sold to a facility that is participating in Nova Scotia’s cap-and-trade program.
  • This attestation form may also be used to document fuels that are exported outside of Nova Scotia or used exclusively in aviation or marine applications. Other documentation deemed acceptable by the verification body may also be used.

Reporting deadlines

In 2019, the deadline for submitting greenhouse gas emissions reports and verification statements are:

  • June 1, 2019 – report for 2018
  • September 1, 2019 – verification for 2018

Starting in 2020, greenhouse gas emissions reports and verification statements/reports will be due on May 1.

  • May 1, 2020 – report and verification for 2019
  • May 1, 2021 – report and verification for 2020
  • May 1, 2022 – report and verification for 2021
  • May 1, 2023 – report and verification for 2022

Registration

Registration for the cap-and-trade program is now open. Participating companies must register by March 31, 2019 using the Compliance Instrument Tracking System Service (CITSS)

Registration requirements are outlined in Section 5 of the Cap-and-Trade Program Regulations. Forms and documents required for each part of the registration process are below, along with guidance on how to complete the registration:

Part 1 – user registration

Part 2 – account application

Please send any questions about the registration process to capandtradehelp@novascotia.ca

Gas and diesel

Amendments to the Petroleum Product Pricing Regulations allow the Utility and Review Board to apply the carbon price to gas and diesel.