Canada has just introduced a new protocol that will allow businesses to benefit from carbon credits for upgrading their refrigeration and air conditioning systems.
The aim of the new initiative under the federal government’s Greenhouse Gas Offset Credit System is to incentivize companies to help minimize greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from refrigeration systems and AC’s.
As part of the new protocol, titled Reducing Greenhouse Gas Emissions from Refrigeration Systems Version 1.0 (RGGERS), carbon credits will be awarded based on every ton of avoided CO2 emissions.
Anew Climate, a climate solutions firm, commented on the new incentive by saying that it will promote investment in new technologies that will help reduce harmful emissions across a whole range of industries.
Tooraj Mulai, the vice-president of climate solutions firm Anew Climate, also said that the Refrigeration Systems Protocol will encourage the implementation of the latest, low-carbon and most environmentally friendly technologies.
“This offset system, and the offset market, provide an excellent opportunity for businesses to address broad environmental goals while also achieving economic growth,” Mulai said.
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The sectors that will be able to participate in the new RGGERS protocol include shopping malls, industrial parks, food processing facilities, office buildings and retail grocery stores.
And the refrigeration and air-conditioning systems that will be eligible for carbon credits are commercial air-conditioning, condensing units, centralized refrigeration, as well as heat pumps.
Once a business or facility switches its refrigeration equipment to a more environmentally friendly alternative, it will be eligible for carbon credits that can, in turn, generate revenue for said business.
What counts is that the switch results in the reduction or even removal of GHG emissions that exceeds what is already legally required from business practices.
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