Gold Standard are very pleased to announce a major step towards the digitisation of the Standard and streamlining of the certification process today. The new Gold Standard digital SDG Impact Tool for project developers and other stakeholders, and a complementary open access SDG Impact Dashboard, were released today.
The new Tool streamlines the reporting, quantification, verification, and certification of the sustainable development impact of Gold Standard projects, while the Dashboard showcases the climate and SDG impact of projects through interactive charts and maps – enhancing data transparency and informing the decision of project supporters.
Digital SDG Impact Tool
Following the soft launch of the digital SDG Impact Tool in Q4 2023, we received constructive stakeholder feedback, and have been working to improve and enhance the tool, ensuring it meets the users’ needs and delivers on its core purpose. We are very pleased to announce the full launch of the tool today.
This new tool is part of the work to digitalise Gold Standard for the Global Goals and streamline the project certification process, intending to decrease complexities of the process and increase efficiency in issuing credits. The tool simplifies the reporting, quantification, verification, and certification of the safeguarding principles assessment and the sustainable development impact of Gold Standard projects. Project Developers can input SDG impact data, submit projects to Auditors and Reviewers for evaluation, and receive results and feedback within the tool – reducing administrative work and creating one channel of communication for key stakeholders.
While some project developers began using the digital tool during the soft launch phase, some are still using the Excel-based version. If you have yet to do so, we highly encourage you to create an account and familiarise yourself with the digital tool and the supporting resources that accompany it. Note that use of the new digital tool will become *mandatory for certain project types 90 days from today, on 1st September 2024.
*Use of the digital SDG Impact Tool will become mandatory from 30/08/2024 for all standalone projects, programme of activities (PoAs) and voluntary project activities (VPAs) listed on or after 30/08/2024. It is not mandatory for new VPAs submitted for listing for including in a PoA design certification before this date but becomes mandatory from 01/07/2025. A Rule Update with more information will be published in the coming weeks.
Guidance and Support
Useful resources including FAQs, a demonstration video, and a user manual, have been developed to guide you in opening an account, introduce you to the tool’s capabilities, and show you how to easily complete and submit a project review. Key support resources can be found on the homepage of the SDG Impact Tool (before logging in) and via the ‘info’ button in the navigation bar on the tool (after logging in).
Other relevant documentation including a template for proposing the addition of new monitoring indicators, and related rule updates, can be found under ‘SDG Tool’ on the navigation menu of the Gold Standard for the Global Goals Website.
Training Webinars
FOR PROJECT DEVELOPERS
Gold Standard hosted a training webinar for Project Developers on the 20 June from 10 AM to 11 AM CEST. During the webinar we had a range of important topics, including:
- Key benefits of the new digital SDG Impact Tool for users
- Roll-out of the tool and what it means for current and new projects
- How the tool fits into the overall Gold Standard for the Global Goals certification process
- How to use the tool most effectively and efficiently
- Introduction to the new SDG Impact Dashboard
- Open Q&A session
RECORDED
20 June 2024
10:00 – 11:00 (CEST)
FOR VVBs
Gold Standard will host a training webinar for Project Auditors and Reviewers on the 27 June from 10 AM to 11 AM CEST. During the webinar we will cover a range of important topics, including:
- How to easily access and best use of tool
- Key functions of the tool and benefits for auditors and project reviewers
- Open Q&A session
We highly encourage you to attend the live webinar to get the most from the training and be able to ask questions. However, the webinar will be recorded and shared online afterwards.
27 June 2024
10:00 – 11:00 (CEST)
New SDG Impact Dashboard
Complementary to the Tool, we have developed a new open access application showcasing data from both the Gold Standard Impact Registry and the new SDG Impact Tool in interactive maps and charts. The new ‘SDG Impact Dashboard’ offers and insight into data such as verified emission reductions, shared value created, and SDG contributions from projects under Gold Standard for the Global Goals – across time, location, technology type, and other variables.
The new interactive Dashboard offers access to key project data in a visual and clear manner, leading to better informed decisions by project supports, investors, host country governments, and other market stakeholder. This new development supports the call for increased access to, and better use of, data across the carbon market.
It offers project developers the option to showcase the impact of their projects in new engaging ways. And as more project data is input into the digital SDG Impact Tool over time, the Dashboard will be further developed and enhanced to feature more data sets and more granular analysis.
The Dashboard is now accessible to all via the Gold Standard Website.
Feedback and Questions
We are open to feedback from users of the Tool and the Dashboard, which can be submitted via the forms linked below.
Should you have any questions which cannot be answered in by the supporting materials, please email help@goldstandard.org.