Gold Standard

Integrity in climate action. Impact for people and nature.​

Integrity in climate action. Impact for people and nature.​

WHO WE ARE

Gold Standard sets standards for the highest integrity projects designed to combat climate change and catalyse sustainable development.

Gold Standard sets standards for the highest integrity projects designed to combat climate change and catalyse sustainable development.

WHAT WE DO

As an independent NGO, our trusted methodologies, tools and frameworks empower organisations to mobilise finance and deliver verified impact where it matters most. ​

As an independent NGO, our trusted methodologies, tools and frameworks empower organisations to mobilise finance and deliver verified impact where it matters most. ​
Create Impact
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    Project Developers

    Gold Standard certification enables projects and programmes to certify carbon reduction, removals and SDG impacts. Rooted in science and upheld by robust governance, certific supports lasting and proven benefits for the climate, people, and nature.
    MAXIMISE YOUR PROJECT IMPACT
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    Companies

    Through our frameworks and guidance, Gold Standard enables responsible businesses to take credible climate action to reduce emissions, invest responsibly in certified projects that deliver for climate, people and nature, and communicate their verified impact with confidence.​
    ENHANCE YOUR  CLIMATE AND NATURE STRATEGIES
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    Governments

    Gold Standard supports governments to leverage markets for climate and development under the Paris Agreement, build capacity for high-integrity action and ensure climate and carbon finance delivers measurable, impactful outcomes.​
    DELIVER YOUR NATIONAL TARGETS
Our Impact
  • Shared value created (USD)
    69.9B
    Shared value created (USD)
  • Projects using our standard
    4385
    Projects using our standard
  • Countries host our projects
    114
    Countries host our projects
  • Tonnes CO2eq reduced/removed
    445M
    Tonnes CO2eq reduced/removed
Discover Gold Standard
HELPING YOU CREATE MEANINGFUL IMPACT​
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    Standards that deliver

    by defining how high-integrity climate action translates into impact. Gold Standard enables the credible measurement, reporting and verification of positive impacts for the climate, people and nature. ​​
    DISCOVER OUR STANDARD
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    Guiding responsible business

    through our frameworks and guidance, which supports companies, consultants and NGOs to deliver h
    DISCOVER OUR FRAMEWORKS
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    Certifying project outcomes

    through our Digital Assurance Platform which supports efficient document management and workflows for projects undergoing Gold Standard certification.​​
    DISCOVER OUR STANDARD
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    Tracking verified impact

    through our Impact Registry which provides a public, tamper-proof record of certified initiatives and issued credits, ensuring impacts are real, verified, tracked and never double counted.
    EXPLORE OUR REGISTRY
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    Securing access to carbon markets

    by ensuring Gold Standard-certified projects are recognised across major compliance and voluntary regimes, supported by endorsement from CORSIA, ICVCM and ISEAL, and provide project developers and buyers confidence that credits can be used and trusted across multiple markets.​
    DISCOVER MORE
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    Connecting buyers with projects

    through our marketplace, which allows project developers to showcase their projects and buyers to invest in climate initiatives that reduce greenhouse gas emissions and create sustainable development for people and nature.​
    DISCOVER OUR MARKETPLACE
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    Aligning with the Paris Agreement​

    through all of our work to protect integrity, maintain market access, and ensure climate action contributes to global 1.5°C and net zero goals. All Gold Standard credits from 2026 vintages onwards are aligned with the aims of the Paris Agreement.​
    DISCOVER MORE
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    Using digital solutions

    to streamline project development and certification workflows, transparently report, verify and promote climate and sustainable development impacts, explore market data, and navigate carbon market regulations with confidence.
    DISCOVER OUR APPS
Latest news
Read all news
Recent Publications

  • Climate Responsibility Framework V3.0

  • The Essential Role of Suppressed Demand in Climate Action

  • Nature Responsibility Framework

  • Gold Standard Strategy 2025-2030

  • Gold Standard Annual report 2024

  • Regulating Carbon Markets Effectively - Factsheets

  • Landscape Analysis of Academic Opportunity for Specialist Carbon Market Roles

Recent Publications
Framework

Climate Responsibility Framework V3.0

Providing organisations with clearer guidance, new insights, and stronger safeguards to help contribute fairly to global net zero.
Download the frameworkClimate Responsibility Framework V3.0
Recent Publications
Report

The Essential Role of Suppressed Demand in Climate Action

As international climate policy evolves, market-based mechanisms are emerging as a vital and effective tool to channel finance directly to where it is most needed, complementing traditional climate finance and accelerating on-the-ground action.
Read the report The Essential Role of Suppressed Demand in Climate Action
Recent Publications
FRAMEWORK

Nature Responsibility Framework

Gold Standard's Nature Responsibility Framework is a discussion document, intended for use by organisations in the private, public and third sectors. It defines company responsibility for nature impacts, outlines how companies should act and highlights leading tools to deliver on their goals. 
Download the frameworkNature Responsibility Framework
Recent Publications
Report

Gold Standard Strategy 2025-2030

For over two decades, Gold Standard has been at the forefront of delivering high-integrity, high-impact climate solutions. As the need for sustainable development grows, we continue to evolve, broadening our scope to support ambitious goals.
Read the reportGold Standard Strategy 2025-2030
Recent Publications
Annual Report

Gold Standard Annual report 2024

The Gold Standard’s 2024 Annual Report marks the final year of its 2020–2025 strategy, highlighting major achievements in climate action and sustainable development.
Read the reportGold Standard Annual report 2024
Recent Publications
FACTSHEETS

Regulating Carbon Markets Effectively - Factsheets

Guidance and Insights for Policymakers considering National Regulations
Download the factsheetsRegulating Carbon Markets Effectively - Factsheets
Recent Publications
REPORT

Landscape Analysis of Academic Opportunity for Specialist Carbon Market Roles

This report examines how academic institutions in selected emerging and developing countries could support enhanced employment of local experts in carbon market roles through providing specialised training.
Read the reportLandscape Analysis of Academic Opportunity for Specialist Carbon Market Roles
Highlights

  • Paris Agreement Alignment

  • 7 Actions for Nature Responsibility

  • First-Time Carbon Credit Buyers

  • Nine Actions Businesses Should Take to Net Zero

  • Carbon Market Regulations Tracker

  • Policy Requirements and Procedures

  • The Future of Clean Cooking in the Carbon Market

Highlights
GUIDE

Paris Agreement Alignment

A comprehensive guide to Paris Agreement-alignment under Gold Standard for the Global Goals
ReadParis Agreement Alignment
Highlights
SUMMARY GUIDE

7 Actions for Nature Responsibility

Practical steps to guide your planning and action—whether you are just starting or looking to accelerate progress.
READ7 Actions for Nature Responsibility
Highlights
QUICK GUIDE

First-Time Carbon Credit Buyers

Decarbonisation is a journey. Cutting emissions takes time. While you ramp up energy efficiency, renewable energy and process improvements, you can still take responsibility for your ongoing emissions.
DOWNLOADFirst-Time Carbon Credit Buyers
Highlights
Summary Guide

Nine Actions Businesses Should Take to Net Zero

The age of urgency requires credible, transparent action from corporate actors. Though there are many barriers to climate action, Gold Standard can help guide your planning and actions, regardless of where you are on your journey
ReadNine Actions Businesses Should Take to Net Zero
Highlights
APP

Carbon Market Regulations Tracker

The Carbon Market Regulations Tracker is developed to enhance the understanding and transparency of carbon market regulations, and support governments, project developers, investors, and other market participants in navigating the evolving regulatory landscape.
View Regulation TrackerCarbon Market Regulations Tracker
Highlights
PILOT

Policy Requirements and Procedures

The innovative Pilot Policy Requirements and Procedures from Gold Standard provide a route for carbon finance to support large scale climate action by allowing certification and credit issuance for emission reductions achieved through policies or regulations.
Visit Policy Requirements and Procedures
Highlights
Opinion

The Future of Clean Cooking in the Carbon Market

ReadThe Future of Clean Cooking in the Carbon Market

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