The Canadian Gas Association partners with international certification expert to advance trusted tracking of biomethane, hydrogen and other low-emission energy sources
The Canadian Gas Association (CGA) is advancing the development of the Canadian Low Emission Energy Registry (CLEER), a new national system designed to support the growth of biomethane and other low-emission energy markets through trusted environmental attribute tracking. To support the implementation and operation of the registry, CGA has engaged Renewable Energy Assurance Limited (REAL). Funding partners from across Canada will reinforce the Collaboratory’s pan-Canadian scope, positioning the initiative as credible, collaborative, and nationally significant.
Once operational, CLEER will provide a transparent, credible and nationally consistent system for tracking digital certificates that represent the environmental attributes of biomethane and other low-emission energy sources, including hydrogen, throughout their life cycle. The registry will increase market transparency, facilitate environmental claims and provide greater confidence for producers, utilities, consumers, regulators and investors.
As demand for biomethane and other low-emission energy solutions continues to grow, trusted attribute tracking systems are increasingly recognized as essential market infrastructure. CLEER will help support investment, market development and policy objectives by ensuring environmental attributes can be tracked and transferred with confidence. Further, it will provide regulators with confidence that environmental attributes are uniquely transferred without any risk of double-counting.
“CLEER is about supporting the continued growth of Canada’s biomethane and low-emission energy markets,” said Susanna Zagar, President and CEO, Canadian Gas Association. “A trusted registry gives market participants confidence that environmental attributes are being tracked consistently and transparently. That confidence translates into investment, innovation and broader adoption of low-emission energy solutions.”
REAL will provide advisory, technical and information technology services to support the development and delivery of CLEER, drawing on its experience operating the United Kingdom’s Green Gas Certification Scheme and administering biomethane certification and environmental attribute tracking systems. In addition to supporting implementation, REAL will provide ongoing technical support and operational management services once the registry becomes operational.
“We are pleased to work with CGA on the development of CLEER,” said Jesse Scharf, Director of Green Gases at REAL. “By combining our experience operating an established biomethane certification scheme with CGA’s understanding of the Canadian market, we can help build a registry that is practical, credible and aligned with international best practices while meeting Canada’s unique needs.”
“The Canadian Biogas Association is pleased to be part of the initiative to build CLEER and sees the registry as an important tool to support the growth of Canada’s biomethane market. A reliable system for tracking environmental attributes from biomethane will build confidence in the quality, value and climate benefits of biomethane, or renewable natural gas (RNG), as a decarbonization solution,” said Jennifer Green, Executive Director of the CBA. “As the voice of Canada’s biogas and RNG sector, representing the full biomethane value chain — including producers, technology providers, financiers and utilities — we see CLEER as a valuable platform to help streamline RNG transactions and provide greater certainty for both producers and consumers.”
CGA gratefully acknowledges the financial support of Natural Resources Canada and the Province of British Columbia through the Ministry of Energy and Climate Solutions.
“Canada is building the systems needed to be a clean energy superpower. The Canadian Low Emission Energy Registry (CLEER) will provide a credible, nationally consistent system to track emissions with confidence, unlock investment in low-emission energy and strengthen Canada’s competitiveness in a volatile world,” said the Honourable Tim Hodgson, Minister of Energy and Natural Resources.
“The Canadian Low Emission Energy Registry’s nationally consistent tracking system will give producers and consumers greater confidence and transparency, helping to expand the market for low-carbon energy sources like biomethane and hydrogen,” said Adrian Dix, Minister of Energy and Climate Solutions. “B.C. is proud to support technologies and systems that attract investment and strengthen the clean energy market.”
About the Canadian Gas Association: The Canadian Gas Association (CGA) represents Canadian-owned utilities operating across eight provinces and one territory, delivering natural gas, renewable natural gas and hydrogen through nearly 600,000 km of resilient underground infrastructure. Meeting about 40% of Canada’s energy needs and serving more than 7.6 million customer locations, CGA members ensure Canadians receive affordable, reliable and safe energy.
About Renewable Energy Assurance Limited: Renewable Energy Assurance Limited operates the Green Gas Certification Scheme in the United Kingdom and provides assurance, certification and registry services for renewable and low-carbon energy markets.
For media inquiries, please contact:
Al Kleinschmidt, Principal Lead, Canadian Low-Emission Energy Registry
AKleinschmidt@cga.ca