Technology Innovation and Emissions Reduction (TIER)

For Alberta businesses facing rising pressure to cut emissions while staying competitive, the Technology Innovation and Emissions Reduction (TIER) program plays a central role in turning environmental responsibility into a business opportunity. Managed by the Government of Alberta, TIER underpins the province’s industrial carbon pricing system and is designed to encourage companies to invest directly in clean technology, process improvements, and other innovations that lower emissions and operating costs over time.

Rather than functioning like a traditional grant with a fixed amount, TIER provides project-based, non-repayable support through a combination of compliance options and incentives. Industrial facilities can meet their obligations by investing in on-site emissions reduction projects, using performance or offset credits, or contributing to the TIER fund, which in turn supports further emissions-reducing initiatives. Recent updates have made the system more flexible, rewarding companies that choose to invest directly in technology that fits their operations and allowing some smaller facilities to opt out to reduce administrative burden and redirect resources into efficiency improvements.

TIER is particularly relevant for large industrial operators, emissions-intensive manufacturers, energy producers, and other Alberta-based facilities looking to modernize while managing carbon costs. Understanding how TIER applies to your operations, what types of projects may qualify, and how funding or credits can be accessed can make a meaningful difference to long-term competitiveness, making it worth exploring the full details in more depth.