Rule Updates

Applicable and Archived Rule Updates APPLICABLE RULE UPDATES have not yet been integrated into the latest version of Gold Standard for the Global Goals.
ARCHIVED RULE UPDATES have been previously released and are incorporated into the latest version of Gold Standard for the Global Goals but are also listed below for easy reference.

Applicable Rule Updates

Following the publication of the Procedure for Development, Revision, and Certification of Methodologies and Methodological Tools v.2.0, the Gold Standard has conducted a review of status of approved methodologies.

The rule update outlines: • Revisions to Paragraph 2.1.7 in the Renewable Energy Activity Requirements (V1.4), which pertain to the pre-approved exception for eligibility of grid-connected renewable energy projects with distributed installations. • Eligibility criteria for grid-connected projects that feature a Battery Energy Storage System (BESS).

With this rule update, the scope of the fast-track preliminary review is extended to include most project types, the document requirements have been reduced and the timelines for review expedited. The revised requirements and procedures are summarised in this rule update document.

! Rule Update(s) applies

The Gold Standard Microscale Scheme offers a simplified certification option i.e., internal validation and verification for Microscale standalone projects (henceforth projects), and Programme of Activities and Voluntary Project Activities (PoAs/VPAs).

The new safe water supply methodology will come into effect on 02 August 2021. This rule update provides guidance on the timelines and requirements for project developers currently applying Annex 3 of the TPDDTEC methodology, including information on registry submission, and changes + flexibilities provided for the issuance of Gold Standard Verified Emission Reductions (GSVERs).

The Gold Standard has put in place interim Covid-19 measures to provide as much flexibility as possible to enable the ongoing success of Gold Standard projects. Interim measures have been extended from 30/06/2022 to 31/12/2022 for only those projects which are located at a place where COVID-19 related restrictions still exist.

Applied to the Gold Standard Principles and Requirements, this rule update provides information on the scope, applicability and entry into force for the SDG Impact Tools.

Gold Standard version 2.0 instituted minimum site visit frequency requirements for Validation/Verification Bodies (VVBs) as part of the project verification process, subject to reasonable exceptions. This rule update provides requirements and guidelines for VVBs to address the instances when the project/VPAs are in non-compliance with the minimum site visit requirements.

The Global Warming Potential values - for calculating the carbon dioxide equivalence of anthropogenic emissions and removals - have been updated as per the IPCC Fifth Assessment report (AR5). These updates have been implemented by the Gold Standard Technical Advisory Committees (TACs) and apply to all vintages of Gold Standard credits on or after 01 January 2020.

This methodology update expands the scope of applicability of the current usage requirements and guidelines to include Household Biogas Digesters. This update ensures consistency, and sound monitoring and reporting.

This rule update introduces flexibility to the Gold Standard Programme of Activities (PoAs) requirements through changes to the VVB compliance check requirements with regards to the inclusion of project activities, the documentation required for PoA design change requests and the time of submission for design change requests.

Gold Standard for the Global Goals is regularly updated in accordance with ISEALs Code of Best Practice. A 60-day public consultation was held between 17/06/19 and 18/09/19. Comments received were consolidated and fed into the Standard’s rule update. The main updates to the standard documents are summarized in this document.

This rule update is for Verification and Validation Bodies (VVBs) conducting both the validation and verification of the same project/Programme of Activity (POA).

Archived Rule Updates

This rule update introduces changes to harmonize requirements on the maximum crediting period allowed with regards to projects transitioning from another carbon crediting scheme, including CDM, to issue Gold Standard VERs under Gold Standard for the Global Goals (GS4GG) or CDM projects applying for GS4GG labelling.

This rule update introduces changes to the eligibility requirements of Small Scale (SSC) projects and Voluntary Project Activities (VPAs) accounting Suppressed Demand Scenario to establish baseline.

This rule update relaxes eligibility requirements for transition projects seeking GS VERs or labelling of emission reductions under Gold Standard for the Global Goals.

Introduces new eligibility requirements specifically for Programme of Activities (PoAs) with Voluntary Project Activities (VPAs)/Component Project Activities (CPAs) involving renewable energy technologies.

Outlines the requirements for CDM projects seeking to transition to Gold Standard for the Global Goals (GS4GG).

Gold Standard expands the scope of its Renewable Energy 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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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

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: - Certification Renewal and maximum certification periods for existing projects (i.e. those Registered under earlier versions of the Standard) - Use of existing sustainable development monitoring indicators Also clarifies Requirements concerning Additionality and Ongoing Financial Need