Agriculture Activity Requirements

09.07.2026 Activity Requirements
REVISION HISTORY
Version Released date Document name
v.1.1 9.07.2026 CURRENT DOCUMENT - Agriculture Activity Requirements
TRACK CHANGES - from previous version
v.1.0 22.12.2025 206_V1.0_AR_AGR_Agriculture-Activity-requirement.pdf

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: Eligibility and certification requirements for agricultural projects (crops, livestock, agroforestry). 

Overview This document sets the rules for agricultural projects seeking GS4GG certification. It defines what types of activities are eligible (e.g., soil organic carbon, methane reduction) and establishes safeguards to ensure projects contribute to climate security without causing harm (e.g., protecting wetlands and native forests). 

Key Eligibility Criteria 

  • Allowed Activities: Includes increasing soil organic carbon (SOC), agroforestry, silvopasture, and activities that reduce methane or N2O from livestock and crops. 
  • Land Eligibility: The project area must not have been deforested or defined as a wetland in the 10 years prior to the project start date (with limited exceptions). 
  • Secured Titles: Developers must demonstrate clear ownership of carbon credits, legal land titles, and rights to agricultural products. 

Core Principles 

  • Safeguards: Projects shall strictly maintain buffer zones around water bodies (e.g., 5-15m width) and protect existing native tree species. 
  • Additionality: Projects shall prove they are not business-as-usual using one of three options: 
  1. Approved Tools: Using standard GS4GG additionality tools. 
  1. Positive List: For projects in specific low-income regions or using specific practices (e.g., native crop species in agroforestry). 
  1. Activity Penetration Rate: For small projects (<60,000 tCO2e/yr) where the practice is adopted by less than 5% of farmers in the area. 
206_V1.1_AR_AGR_AgricultureDownload