VPA Design Document

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.