These guidelines are intended to assist project developers, partners and funders in communicating accurately and appropriately about the benefits derived from Gold Standard projects.

No change in March 2018 review.

This document provides the mandatory Principles & Requirements that all Gold Standard projects must conform to. It represents the starting point for all projects seeking Gold Standard certification of any kind.

Requirements and guidelines for applying the Gold Standard Gender certification process.

This document provides the requirements for Programmes of Activity, a term used to describe an ‘umbrella’ certification under which multiple projects may be developed.

This document details the stakeholder consultation & engagement Procedure, requirements & guidelines that all projects must apply.

This document presents the Gold Standard Gender Policy, as applicable at an organisational level and to the standards and certification of Gold Standard projects.

This document provides the specific requirements and adjustments to requirements that apply to micro-scale projects.

This document describes how Gold Standard certification decisions are made and how VVBs are approved to audit Gold Standard projects. It also includes which GS-VVBs are eligible to audit different Gold Standard project certification pathways.

No change in March 2018 review.

This document describes the timing, requirements and procedures under which existing Gold Standard projects transition to Gold Standard for the Global Goals.

This document details the safeguarding principles and associated requirements that all projects must assess and conform to.

This document is to be read and used in conjunction with the Gold Standard LU&F Activity Requirements. It provides the Risks & Capacities Guideline to help Projects better consider, articulate and mitigate risk.

No change in March 2018 review.

This document provides specific requirements for Community Services projects, including renewables (mini/off-grid), end-use energy efficiency, waste management and handling and WASH. It is to be read in conjunction with the Gold Standard for the Global Goals Principles & Requirements.

This document provides specific requirements for Land-use and Forest projects, including A/R and Agriculture. It is to be read in conjunction with the Gold Standard for the Global Goals Principles & Requirements.

This document provides specific requirements for renewable energy projects. It is to be read in conjunction with the Gold Standard for the Global Goals Principles & Requirements.

This document provides the Requirements and pathway to certification for Sustainable Urban Development projects and programmes.

No change in March 2018 review.

This document sets out the Requirements and Guidelines for carrying out usage surveys for projects implementing improved cooking devices. It is an annex to several methodologies related to clean cooking.

This document provides the Requirements to be followed by projects seeking to quantify GHG Emissions Reductions from fuel switch to biomass projects. Used in conjunction with the GHG Emissions Reduction & Sequestration Product Requirements project may be issued with carbon credits.

This document provides the Requirements to be followed by projects seeking to quantify GHG Emissions Reductions from biomass residue projects. Used in conjunction with the GHG Emissions Reduction & Sequestration Product Requirements project may be issued with carbon credits.

Requirements and guidelines for applying the Gold Standard Gender certification process.

This document provides the Requirements to be followed by projects seeking to quantify GHG Emissions Reductions from manure management projects. Used in conjunction with the GHG Emissions Reduction & Sequestration Product Requirements project may be issued with carbon credits.

This document provides the Requirements for projects seeking the issuance of Gold Standard carbon credits (PERs, GS-VERs and GS-CERs).

This document provides the Requirements to be followed by projects seeking to quantify GHG Emissions Reductions & Sequestration from A/R activities. Used in conjunction with the GHG Emissions Reduction & Sequestration Product Requirements project may be issued with carbon credits.

This document provides the Requirements to be followed by projects seeking to quantify GHG Emissions Reductions & Sequestration from improved tillage projects. Used in conjunction with the GHG Emissions Reduction & Sequestration Product Requirements project may be issued with carbon credits.

This document provides the Requirements to be followed by projects seeking to quantify and issue Emissions Reductions from smallholder dairy projects. Used in conjunction with the GHG Emissions Reduction & Sequestration Product Requirements project may be issued with carbon credits.

This document provides the Requirements and pathway to certification for Sustainable Urban Development projects and programmes.

No change in March 2018 review.

Gold Standard Methodology for Water Access and Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) Projects

This document provides the Requirements to be followed by projects seeking to quantify GHG Emissions Reductions from thermal improvements in buildings. Used in conjunction with the GHG Emissions Reduction & Sequestration Product Requirements project may be issued with carbon credits.

This document provides the Requirements to be followed by projects seeking to quantify SLCP Emissions Reductions for improved cookstove projects.

Methodology Summary:

This document provides the Requirements to be followed by projects seeking to quantify GHG Emissions Reductions from projects that displace decentralized thermal energy technologies. Used in conjunction with the GHG Emissions Reduction & Sequestration Product Requirements project may be issued with carbon credits.

Methodology Shorthand:

• 401.13 TPDDTEC

Revision History:

Applicable Activity Requirements:

• Community Services

Example Project Types:

• Improved cookstoves
• Biodigesters
• Safe water supply

This document provides the Requirements to be followed by projects seeking to quantify GHG Emissions Reductions from household device projects. Used in conjunction with the GHG Emissions Reduction & Sequestration Product Requirements project may be issued with carbon credits.

This document provides the Requirements to be followed by projects seeking to quantify GHG Emissions Reductions from Installation of Flow Improvement Equipment on Ships. Used in conjunction with the GHG Emissions Reduction & Sequestration Product Requirements project may be issued with carbon credits.

This document provides the Requirements to be followed by projects seeking to quantify GHG Emissions Reductions from biodiesel from waste projects. Used in conjunction with the GHG Emissions Reduction & Sequestration Product Requirements project may be issued with carbon credits.

This document provides the Requirements to be followed by projects seeking to quantify ADALYs, a measure of mortality and morbidity, from cleaner household air projects.

This document provides the Requirements to be followed by projects seeking to quantify GHG Emissions Reductions from alternative ignition projects. Used in conjunction with the GHG Emissions Reduction & Sequestration Product Requirements project may be issued with carbon credits.

…

This document provides the Requirements to be followed by projects seeking to quantify GHG Emissions Reductions from advanced hull coating projects. Used in conjunction with the GHG Emissions Reduction & Sequestration Product Requirements project may be issued with carbon credits.

This document provides the requirements and process for Renewable Energy projects to be able to issue Gold Standard labels for eligible Renewable Energy Products such as Renewable Energy Certificates.

Gold Standard has approved the requirements to apply CDM Methodology AMS-III.AU “Methane emission reduction by adjusted water management practice in rice cultivation” for Gold Standard Certification.

This document provides a methodology to quantify Emissions Reductions from the retrofit of energy efficiency measures in shipping. Used in conjunction with the GHG Emissions Reduction & Sequestration Product Requirements project may be issued with carbon credits.

This document provides the Requirements to be followed by projects seeking to quantify GHG Emissions Reductions from microscope energisation and electrification projects. Used in conjunction with the GHG Emissions Reduction & Sequestration Product Requirements project may be issued with carbon credits.

This document provides the Requirements to be followed by projects seeking to quantify GHG Emissions Reductions from agricultural product processing projects. Used in conjunction with the GHG Emissions Reduction & Sequestration Product Requirements project may be issued with carbon credits.

This document provides the Requirements to be followed by projects seeking to quantify GHG Emissions Reductions from small scale food preservation projects. Used in conjunction with the GHG Emissions Reduction & Sequestration Product Requirements project may be issued with carbon credits.

This methodology is specific to an adaptation of a particular planting method for sugarcane, which is part of the much more comprehensive package of practices known as the Sustainable Sugarcane Initiative (SSI).

This document provides the Requirements to be followed by projects seeking to quantify GHG Emissions Reductions from micro-scale cookstove projects. Used in conjunction with the GHG Emissions Reduction & Sequestration Product Requirements project may be issued with carbon credits.

This document provides the Requirements to be followed by projects seeking to quantify GHG Emissions Reductions from thermal energy from plant oil projects. Used in conjunction with the GHG Emissions Reduction & Sequestration Product Requirements project may be issued with carbon credits.

…

This document provides the Requirements for projects seeking the issuance of Gold Standard carbon credits (PERs, GS-VERs and GS-CERs).

This document provides the requirements and process for Renewable Energy projects to be able to issue Gold Standard labels for eligible Renewable Energy Products such as Renewable Energy Certificates.

…

This document sets out the principles that guide all Gold Standard technical developments, including standards-setting, methodology, tools and guideline development and certification structures and decision making.

This document defines the role, remit, authority and modalities of the Gold Standard Technical Governance Committee (TGC). The TGC is responsible for the mandating of technical governance in Gold Standard, in line with the Technical Governance Guiding Principles.

This document sets out Gold Standard’s approach to the monitoring and evaluation of its impacts.  It is intended to indicate how the the ISEAL Code of Good Practice; “Assessing the Impacts of Social and Environmental Standards Systems” is/will be applied.

This document sets out the procedures and guidelines for all standards setting activities at Gold Standard. This includes the development and revision of standards, tools, guidelines, methodologies and procedures.

…

This rule update expands the scope of eligibility under option 2 from small scale to all scales GS eligible CDM project activities and includes further guidelines to help project developers.

Clarification on applicability of Global Warming Potential for Gold Standard for Global Goal projects

This rule clarification provides guidelines on the applicability of the Clean Development Mechanisms (CDM) “Tool 32 – Positive list of technologies” in the context of Gold Standard for the Global Goals (GS4GG) certification for waste handling and disposal projects.

These guidelines are intended to assist project developers, partners and funders in communicating accurately and appropriately about the benefits derived from Gold Standard projects.

No change in March 2018 review.

This document provides specific requirements for Community Services projects, including renewables (mini/off-grid), end-use energy efficiency, waste management and handling and WASH. It is to be read in conjunction with the Gold Standard for the Global Goals Principles & Requirements.

Clarification on eligibility of credits that can be used to meet the Gold Standard Conformity Buffer requirements. 

This document sets out the Requirements and Guidelines for carrying out usage surveys for projects implementing improved cooking devices. It is an annex to several methodologies related to clean cooking.

…

This document provides the Requirements to be followed by projects seeking to quantify GHG Emissions Reductions from fuel switch to biomass projects. Used in conjunction with the GHG Emissions Reduction & Sequestration Product Requirements project may be issued with carbon credits.

Gold Standard expands the scope of its RENEWABLE ENERGY ACTIVITY REQUIREMENTS to include Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) incineration project activities. Gold Standard has developed a set of new requirements for MSW incineration project activities seeking certification under Gold Standard for the Global Goals. The objective of these requirements is to ensure that best practices have been followed for project design, development and operation, avoiding any potential negative impact.

What are the key changes?

These requirements include specific criteria, ranging from stakeholder consultation, project eligibility, environmental emissions, and operational requirements to continuously report on the status of regulatory compliance.

Clarification on definition of Erroneous Inclusion and requirements for managing Non- Conformity have been included in these documents.

This document provides the Requirements to be followed by projects seeking to quantify GHG Emissions Reductions from biomass residue projects. Used in conjunction with the GHG Emissions Reduction & Sequestration Product Requirements project may be issued with carbon credits.

Requirements and guidelines for applying the Gold Standard Gender certification process.

This document presents the Gold Standard Gender Policy, as applicable at an organisational level and to the standards and certification of Gold Standard projects.

This document provides the Requirements to be followed by projects seeking to quantify GHG Emissions Reductions from manure management projects. Used in conjunction with the GHG Emissions Reduction & Sequestration Product Requirements project may be issued with carbon credits.

This document provides the Requirements for projects seeking the issuance of Gold Standard carbon credits (PERs, GS-VERs and GS-CERs).

This document provides the Requirements to be followed by projects seeking to quantify GHG Emissions Reductions & Sequestration from A/R activities. Used in conjunction with the GHG Emissions Reduction & Sequestration Product Requirements project may be issued with carbon credits.

This document provides the Requirements to be followed by projects seeking to quantify GHG Emissions Reductions & Sequestration from improved tillage projects. Used in conjunction with the GHG Emissions Reduction & Sequestration Product Requirements project may be issued with carbon credits.

This document provides the Requirements to be followed by projects seeking to quantify and issue Emissions Reductions from smallholder dairy projects. Used in conjunction with the GHG Emissions Reduction & Sequestration Product Requirements project may be issued with carbon credits.

…

This document provides the Requirements and pathway to certification for Sustainable Urban Development projects and programmes.

No change in March 2018 review.

Gold Standard Methodology for Water Access and Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) Projects

This document provides the Requirements to be followed by projects seeking to quantify GHG Emissions Reductions from thermal improvements in buildings. Used in conjunction with the GHG Emissions Reduction & Sequestration Product Requirements project may be issued with carbon credits.

This document provides the Requirements to be followed by projects seeking to quantify SLCP Emissions Reductions for improved cookstove projects.

Methodology Summary:

This document provides the Requirements to be followed by projects seeking to quantify GHG Emissions Reductions from projects that displace decentralized thermal energy technologies. Used in conjunction with the GHG Emissions Reduction & Sequestration Product Requirements project may be issued with carbon credits.

Methodology Shorthand:

• 401.13 TPDDTEC

Revision History:

Applicable Activity Requirements:

• Community Services

Example Project Types:

• Improved cookstoves
• Biodigesters
• Safe water supply

…

This document provides an overview of previous, current and proposed standards setting.

1.0 – initial publication June 18

The rule update allows GS-CER projects to become eligible for Gold Standard Renewable Energy Labels provided certain conditions are met to mitigate the risk of issuing carbon credits and renewable energy certificates from the same MWh.

…

…

…

Gold Standard has released the standard procedure for Impact Quantification methodology approval under the Gold Standard for the Global Goals (GS4GG).

This document sets out Gold Standard’s approach to the monitoring and evaluation of its impacts.  It is intended to indicate how the the ISEAL Code of Good Practice; “Assessing the Impacts of Social and Environmental Standards Systems” is/will be applied.

This document provides the Requirements to be followed by projects seeking to quantify GHG Emissions Reductions from household device projects. Used in conjunction with the GHG Emissions Reduction & Sequestration Product Requirements project may be issued with carbon credits.

This document provides the Requirements to be followed by projects seeking to quantify GHG Emissions Reductions from Installation of Flow Improvement Equipment on Ships. Used in conjunction with the GHG Emissions Reduction & Sequestration Product Requirements project may be issued with carbon credits.

Clarification on issuances of PERs 

This document provides specific requirements for Land-use and Forest projects, including A/R and Agriculture. It is to be read in conjunction with the Gold Standard for the Global Goals Principles & Requirements.

This document is to be read and used in conjunction with the Gold Standard LU&F Activity Requirements. It provides the Risks & Capacities Guideline to help Projects better consider, articulate and mitigate risk.

No change in March 2018 review.

This template is for submission of new methodology concept as well as methodology revisions.

This document provides the Requirements to be followed by projects seeking to quantify GHG Emissions Reductions from biodiesel from waste projects. Used in conjunction with the GHG Emissions Reduction & Sequestration Product Requirements project may be issued with carbon credits.

This document provides the Requirements to be followed by projects seeking to quantify ADALYs, a measure of mortality and morbidity, from cleaner household air projects.

This document provides the specific requirements and adjustments to requirements that apply to micro-scale projects.

…

This document provides the mandatory Principles & Requirements that all Gold Standard projects must conform to. It represents the starting point for all projects seeking Gold Standard certification of any kind.

This document provides the requirements for Programmes of Activity, a term used to describe an ‘umbrella’ certification under which multiple projects may be developed.

This document provides the Requirements to be followed by projects seeking to quantify GHG Emissions Reductions from alternative ignition projects. Used in conjunction with the GHG Emissions Reduction & Sequestration Product Requirements project may be issued with carbon credits.

Project Design Document template

…

This document provides the Requirements to be followed by projects seeking to quantify GHG Emissions Reductions from advanced hull coating projects. Used in conjunction with the GHG Emissions Reduction & Sequestration Product Requirements project may be issued with carbon credits.

The methodology “Reducing Vessel Emissions Through the Use of Advanced Hull Coatings” has been put on hold to address the inconsistencies in GHGs emission reductions quantification approaches.

This document provides specific requirements for renewable energy projects. It is to be read in conjunction with the Gold Standard for the Global Goals Principles & Requirements.

To encourage more renewable energy projects, Gold Standard has expanded its RENEWABLE ENERGY LABEL REQUIREMENTS to provide more flexibility for retroactive Renewable Energy projects applying to certify just Renewable Energy Labels. The new rule update also aligns our Renewable Energy Label requirements with eligible renewable energy labelling schemes, such as iRECs.

What are the key changes?

This new rule date introduces a change in the definition of the project start date and an exception on the retroactive project submission date for projects certifying just Renewable Energy Labels. This is in pilot phase and the exception will be in effect until 02/09/2019.

This document provides the requirements and process for Renewable Energy projects to be able to issue Gold Standard labels for eligible Renewable Energy Products such as Renewable Energy Certificates.

…

Gold Standard has approved the requirements to apply CDM Methodology AMS-III.AU “Methane emission reduction by adjusted water management practice in rice cultivation” for Gold Standard Certification.

Gold standard has introduced exemptions for retroactive projects from LUF and Shipping sector.

This document provides a methodology to quantify Emissions Reductions from the retrofit of energy efficiency measures in shipping. Used in conjunction with the GHG Emissions Reduction & Sequestration Product Requirements project may be issued with carbon credits.

This document details the safeguarding principles and associated requirements that all projects must assess and conform to.

Clarification on issuance of Gold Standard VERs related to eligible Soil Carbon component

This document details the stakeholder consultation & engagement Procedure, requirements & guidelines that all projects must apply.

This document sets out the procedures and guidelines for all standards setting activities at Gold Standard. This includes the development and revision of standards, tools, guidelines, methodologies and procedures.

This document sets out the procedures and guidelines for all standards setting activities at Gold Standard. This includes the development and revision of standards, tools, guidelines, methodologies and procedures.

This technical reference manual aims to assist project developers and practitioners in applying the Gold Standard Methodology to Estimate and Verify ADALYs from Cleaner Household Air. While the specific requirements and guidelines are laid out in the ADALYs methodology, this document serves as a supplementary guide to support the successful implementation of the methodology. The manual also provides information on global and regional organisations and testing centres who have the expertise and capacity to monitor personal exposure – a mandatory requirement for the ADALYs methodology.

This document provides the Requirements to be followed by projects seeking to quantify GHG Emissions Reductions from microscope energisation and electrification projects. Used in conjunction with the GHG Emissions Reduction & Sequestration Product Requirements project may be issued with carbon credits.

This document provides the Requirements to be followed by projects seeking to quantify GHG Emissions Reductions from agricultural product processing projects. Used in conjunction with the GHG Emissions Reduction & Sequestration Product Requirements project may be issued with carbon credits.

This document provides the Requirements to be followed by projects seeking to quantify GHG Emissions Reductions from small scale food preservation projects. Used in conjunction with the GHG Emissions Reduction & Sequestration Product Requirements project may be issued with carbon credits.

This methodology is specific to an adaptation of a particular planting method for sugarcane, which is part of the much more comprehensive package of practices known as the Sustainable Sugarcane Initiative (SSI).

This document defines the role, remit, authority and modalities of the Gold Standard Technical Governance Committee (TGC). The TGC is responsible for the mandating of technical governance in Gold Standard, in line with the Technical Governance Guiding Principles.

This document sets out the principles that guide all Gold Standard technical developments, including standards-setting, methodology, tools and guideline development and certification structures and decision making.

This document provides the Requirements to be followed by projects seeking to quantify GHG Emissions Reductions from micro-scale cookstove projects. Used in conjunction with the GHG Emissions Reduction & Sequestration Product Requirements project may be issued with carbon credits.

This document provides the Requirements to be followed by projects seeking to quantify GHG Emissions Reductions from thermal energy from plant oil projects. Used in conjunction with the GHG Emissions Reduction & Sequestration Product Requirements project may be issued with carbon credits.

This document describes the timing, requirements and procedures under which existing Gold Standard projects transition to Gold Standard for the Global Goals.

The following clarifications are relevant to all Project Proponents, regardless of the version of the standard under which your project is Registered. It provides a clarification to the ‘Gold Standard for the Global Goals Transition Requirements’ document in the following areas:

1. Certification Renewal and maximum certification periods for existing projects (i.e. those Registered under earlier versions of the Standard)
2. Use of existing sustainable development monitoring indicators

In addition to the above Gold Standard also clarifies Requirements concerning:

3. Additionality and Ongoing Financial Need

…

This document describes how Gold Standard certification decisions are made and how VVBs are approved to audit Gold Standard projects. It also includes which GS-VVBs are eligible to audit different Gold Standard project certification pathways.

No change in March 2018 review.