How important is energy?
Energy is everywhere. It embodies every object we produce, consume or use. Currently, fossil fuels supply the vast majority of our energy needs, releasing greenhouse gases into our atmosphere that significantly contribute to climate change. We need to rectify this and according to the International Energy Agency, to avoid the worst effects of climate change, investments in low-carbon energy technologies will need to reach $1 trillion by 2030.
What is our goal?
Our goal is to generate a clean energy future. However, we don’t just focus on reducing emissions, we believe that improving the lives of people is just as critical. That’s why our energy standard takes a participatory approach, using social and environmental safeguards, to ensure that the communities involved can develop successfully and sustainably on a low carbon pathway.
To ensure we maintain the highest standards our Technical Advisory Committee meets on a regular basis to discuss regulatory decisions for methodologies, rules and procedures. For more information on our latest rule updates.
v2.2 Requirements
v2.2 Guidance Notes
- Annex A: The Gold Standard Governance
- Annex B: Project Cycle Overview
- Annex E: Registry Operational Guidelines
- Annex G: SD Checklist for Wind, Biomass + Hydro
- Annex H: Do No Harm Guidance
- Annex I: Guidance on SD Indicators
- Annex I: Guidance on SD Indicators (ESPAÑOL)
- Annex J: LSC Best Practice
- Annex K: Val/Ver Report Outlines
- Annex V: PoA Guidance Document
- Annex V: PoA Guidance Document (ESPAÑOL)
- Annex Y: TAC Terms of Reference
- Annex AB: LSC Checklist for DOEs
- Annex AC: SD Indicator Questions
- Annex AD: Methodology Tool
- Annex AE: Standalone Micro-scale Flowcharts
- Annex AF: Micro-Programme Flowcharts
- Annex AG: POA Flowcharts
- How to convert GS CERs to GS VERs
- Project Review Timelines 2013
- How to transition from CDM to GS VER project
- Double Counting Guidelines
v2.2 Templates
- ANNEX Q: LSC Report
- ANNEX R: Gold Standard Passport
- ANNEX AK: PoA Design Consultation
- ANNEX AL: PoA LSC Report
- ANNEX AM: PoA Gold Standard Passport
- ANNEX AN: Micro PoA Design Document
- ANNEX AO: Micro VPA Design Document
- ANNEX AP: Micro-scale Project Design Document
- ANNEX AQ: Micro-scale Validation Report
- ANNEX AR: Micro-scale Verification Report
- ANNEX AS: Conflict Zones Validation Report
- ANNEX AT: Conflict Zone Verification
Document Archive for GS V2.0
Gold Standard Version 2 (GSv2) was superseded by Gold Standard Version 2.1 (GSv2.1) on July 1, 2009. For project developers that applied to list a project prior to this date, but after 1st August 2008, please use the rules outlined below throughout the lifetime of the project.
v2.2 Mandatory Guidelines
- ANNEX C: Specific Eligibility Criteria
- ANNEX C: Specific Eligibility Criteria (ESPAÑOL)
- ANNEX F: POA
- ANNEX P: PFA Fast-Track
- ANNEX T: Standalone Micro-scale Scheme
- ANNEX T: Standalone Micro-scale Scheme (ESPAÑOL)
- ANNEX U: Micro-Programme
- ANNEX U: Micro-Programme (ESPAÑOL)
- ANNEX W: Grievance Mechanism
- ANNEX W: Grievance Mechanism (ESPAÑOL)
- ANNEX X: Conflict Zones & Refugee Camps
- ANNEX Z: Renewal of Crediting Periods
- ANNEX AA: Design Change
- ANNEX AH: Appeals Body
- Double Counting Guidelines
v2.2 Legal Documents
Document Archive for GS V2.1
The Gold Standard Version 2.1 (GSv2.1) was superseded by The Gold Standard Version 2.2 (GSv2.2) on June 1, 2012. For project developers that applied to list a project prior to this date, but after 1st July 2009, please use the rules outlined below throughout the lifetime of the project.
- Gold Standard Requirements V2.1
- Gold Standard Toolkit V2.1
- A. Gold Standard Structure + Guidance
- B. Project Cycle Overview
- C. Guidance on Project Type Eligibility
- D. ODA Declaration Template
- E. Registry Operation
- F. PoA Rules and Guidance
- G. Guidance on Demonstration of Additionality
- H. Guiding Questions for ‘Do-no-harm’ Assessment
- I. Guidance on Sustainability Assessment
- J. Guidance on Stakeholder Consultation
- K. Outline of Validation + Verification Report
- L. Fee Schedule
- M. Terms & Conditions
- N. Brand Rules
- O. ER Acquisition Agreement: pre-CDM GS VERs
- P. ER Acquisition Agreement: pre-JI GS VERs
- Q. LSC Report Template
- R. Gold Standard Passport
- S. Cover Letter
- Project Design Document V2.1
Document Archive for GS V1.0
The rules in force at the time of application remain valid throughout the project lifetime. For project developers who applied to list a project with Gold Standard prior to 1st August 2008 use the following GS V1.0 requirements.