GOLD STANDARD (GS)

Tree in HandThe Gold Standard is an award winning certification standard for carbon mitigation projects and is recognized internationally as the benchmark for quality and rigour in both the compliance and voluntary carbon markets. We certify renewable energy, energy efficiency, waste management and land use & forest carbon offset projects to ensure that they all demonstrate real and permanent greenhouse gas (GHG) reductions and sustainable development benefits in local communities that are measured, reported and verified.

Established in 2003 by WWF, The Gold Standard is the only certification standard trusted and endorsed by more than 80 NGOs worldwide, including Care International, World Vision Australia, Forum for the Future and Mercy Corps. It is also the standard of choice for multiple governments and multinationals such as H&M, DHL, Swiss Post, Nokia, Virgin Atlantic, Panasonic, TUI Travel and FIFA. United Nations agencies use the Gold Standard for the development of their own carbon mitigation and sustainable development projects.

Gold Standard projects must adhere to a stringent and transparent set of criteria developed by the Secretariat, overseen by an independent Technical Advisory Committee and verified by UN accredited independent auditors. The certification process uniquely requires the involvement of local stakeholders and NGOs.

To be eligible for Gold Standard certification, projects must:

  • Employ renewable energy and/or energy efficiency technologies
  • Adhere to the strictest standards on additionality
  • Positively impact the economy, health, welfare and environment of the local community hosting the project