The Illinois Conservation and Climate Initiative

By Illinois. Environmental Protection Agency

Subjects: Greenhouse gas mitigation, Chicago Climate Exchange, Illinois Conservation and Climate Initiative, Emissions trading, Conservation tillage, Conservation plants

Description: The Illinois Conservation and Climate Initiative (ICCI), is a joint project of the State of Illinois and the Delta Institute that allows farmers and landowners to earn revenue through the sale of greenhouse gas emissions credits when they use conservation practices such as no-till grass plantings, reforestation, or manure digesters. Conservation practices prevent carbon dioxide and methane greenhouse gases that contribute to global climate change, from being released to the atmosphere. The Chicago Climate Exchange (CCX®) quantifies, credits and sells greenhouse gas credits from conservation practices. The credits are aggregated, or pooled, from farmers and landowners in order to sell them to CCX® members that have made voluntary commitments to reduce their greenhouse gas contributions. ICCI provides an additional financial incentive for farmers and landowners to use conservation practices that also benefit the environment by creating wildlife habitat and limiting soil and nutrient run-off to streams and lakes.