Requirements for Paris Agreement Alignment
UPDATE
Gold Standard is updating all existing methodologies to align with the principles of the Paris Agreement (PA). Non-Paris aligned methodologies will be retired, and PA-Aligned versions must be applied for all vintage 2026 issuances. Please read the full update here and associated FAQs.
Gold Standard Methodologies will be revised in accordance with the PA Alignment Schedule and prioritised based on usage. Paris aligned methodologies will be published on our Paris Agreement Alignment Documents page.
To leverage existing assessments, Gold Standard is actively following the UNFCCC process to republish CDM methodologies under Paris Agreement Crediting Mechanism (PACM). If there are significant delays with PACM publication, Gold Standard will include and update any relevant methodologies within its workplan.
Scope: Mandatory procedural framework for transitioning all GS4GG activities to PA-aligned methodologies.
Overview This core standard operationalises the transition to the Paris Agreement era. It mandates that all carbon credits (GSVERs) with a vintage of 1 January 2026 and onwards must be quantified using PA-aligned methodologies.
Key Mandates & Timeline
- Mandatory Cut-off: The use of non-PA aligned methodologies for issuance of GSVERs ends strictly on 31 December 2025.It would mean that GSVERs Vintage 2026 onwards can only be issued with a PA aligned methodology.
- Sunset Clause: New projects wishing to use non-PA aligned methodologies for design certification and pre 2026 vintage issuance can submit project for preliminary review until 30 June 2026.
- PA-Alignment Design Change: Existing projects shall undergo a mandatory “PA-Alignment Design Change” validation to be eligible for 2026+ vintages.
- Deferred Issuance: If a required PA-aligned methodology is not yet published when a project is ready for verification, the project enters “Deferred Issuance” status. This pauses issuance but does not penalise the project; credits are issued retroactively once the methodology is available and applied.
- VVB Requirements: Auditors (VVBs) must undergo specific PA-alignment training and examinations to be authorized to validate these transitions.