INTRODUCTION FOR PROJECT DEVELOPERS
Maximise the impact, credibility and value of your project
This next-generation standard enables developers to design projects for maximum positive impact and quantify outcomes toward climate security and sustainable development in the most credible way. Standard requirements are tailored to your specific activity and new IT tools in development will simplify monitoring, reporting and verification (MRV). Gold Standard offers the ability to calculate the economic value created by your specific project and communicate this impact in compelling ways with dynamic data visualisation.
Why choose Gold Standard?
MAXIMUM IMPACT
Rigorous safeguards, stakeholder engagement, and methodologies maximise the climate and SDG impacts of your projects. For companies purchasing environmental commodities like carbon credits or RECs, this translates to more value created.
INCREASED CREDIBILITY, REDUCED COMPLEXITY
Gold Standard is developing SDG Impact Tools to standardise impact indicators and quantification approaches to allow for clear comparison of project performance. Supported by IT systems, SDG Impact Tools will minimise the burden of MRV while increasing the credibility of SDG claims.
GREATER VALUE
Our NGO Supporter Network and strategic partnerships>> help Gold Standard remain the benchmark standard for climate and development initiatives. New impact reporting tools, including the shared value calculation and data visualisation, help differentiate your project to prospective funders.
Why choose Gold Standard?
MAXIMUM IMPACT
Rigorous safeguards, stakeholder engagement, and methodologies maximise the climate and SDG impacts of your projects. For companies purchasing environmental commodities like carbon credits or RECs, this translates to more value created.
INCREASED CREDIBILITY, REDUCED COMPLEXITY
Gold Standard is developing SDG Impact Tools to standardise impact indicators and quantification approaches to allow for clear comparison of project performance. Supported by IT systems, SDG Impact Tools will minimise the burden of MRV while increasing the credibility of SDG claims.
GREATER VALUE
Our NGO Supporter Network and strategic partnerships>> help Gold Standard remain the benchmark standard for climate and development initiatives. New impact reporting tools, including the shared value calculation and data visualisation, help differentiate your project to prospective funders.
ARE YOU READY TO BE GOLD STANDARD?
The following principles are hallmarks of Gold Standard certified projects
1
Reduce emissions
+ deliver sustainable
development benefits
2
Conform to social,
economic and environ
mental safeguarding
principles
3
Include local
communities and
engage relevant
stakeholders
4
Demonstrate real
outcomes
5
Provide benefits
If you've determined that your project aligns with Gold Standard principles, it's time to learn how to get certified.
ARE YOU READY TO BE GOLD STANDARD?
The following principles are hallmarks of Gold Standard certified projects
1
Reduce emissions
+ deliver sustainable
development benefits
2
Conform to social,
economic and environ
mental safeguarding
principles
3
Include local
communities and
engage relevant
stakeholders
4
Demonstrate real
outcomes
5
Provide benefits
beyond a “business as usual”scenario
If you've determined that your project aligns with Gold Standard principles, it's time to learn how to get certified.
The certification process
The process is led by our partner SustainCERT, the official certification provider for Gold Standard for the Global Goals. It is geared to help you design your project for maximum positive impact and provide the necessary assurance that the project achieved what it intended. This includes hiring an approved third-party auditor, called a validation and verification body or VVB, who provides independent verification of your project design and project performance.
You'll find that some steps are iterative, requesting clarifications or actions to ensure your project conforms to Gold Standard's rules. Requirements will vary depending on your activity type, scale, and objective. For example, safeguards for forestry are different from renewable energy projects. And if you wish to monetise your impacts through issuance of carbon credits, renewable energy certificates or other assets, there are requirements for demonstrating "additionality" or financial need that are not required if you simply want to credibly report on the impact delivered by your project, supply chain intervention, or fund.
The certification process
The process is led by our partner SustainCERT, the official certification provider for Gold Standard for the Global Goals. It is geared to help you design your project for maximum positive impact and provide the necessary assurance that the project achieved what it intended. This includes hiring an approved third-party auditor, called a validation and verification body or VVB, who provides independent verification of your project design and project performance.
PLAN PROJECT AND HOLD STAKEHOLDER CONSULTATION
Project Developers plan the project and carry out a stakeholder consultation on the proposed project design.
PRELIMINARY REVIEW BY SUSTAINCERT
SustainCERT reviews draft documentation and requests clarifications where required.
PRELIMINARY DESIGN APPROVAL
Approval by SustainCERT results in “GOLD STANDARD PROJECT LISTED” status, giving the project the green light to move forward.
THIRD-PARTY VALIDATION
Independent assessment conducted by an accredited validation and verification body (VVB), including a desk review and field visit.
PROJECT DESIGN REVIEW BY SUSTAINCERT
SustainCERT reviews documentation and requests clarifications and resolutions of corrective actions where required.
DESIGN CERTIFICATION
Approval by SustainCERT results in “GOLD STANDARD DESIGN CERTIFIED” status
PROJECT MONITORING
Project Developer monitors project according to the monitoring plan approved in project design review.
THIRD-PARTY VERIFICATION
Independent assessment conducted by an accredited validation and verification body (VVB), including a desk review and field visit.
PERFORMANCE REVIEW BY SUSTAINCERT
SustainCERT reviews documentation and requests clarifications and resolutions of corrective actions where required.
PERFORMANCE CERTIFICATION
Approval by SustainCERT results in “CERTIFIED GOLD STANDARD PROJECT” status and Gold Standard issuance of certified products and/or impact statements.
You'll find that some steps are iterative, requesting clarifications or actions to ensure your project conforms to Gold Standard's rules. Requirements will vary depending on your activity type, scale, and objective. For example, safeguards for forestry are different from renewable energy projects. And if you wish to monetise your impacts through issuance of carbon credits, renewable energy certificates or other assets, there are requirements for demonstrating "additionality" or financial need that are not required if you simply want to credibly report on the impact delivered by your project, supply chain intervention, or fund.
The certification process
The process is led by our partner SustainCERT, the official certification provider for Gold Standard for the Global Goals. It is geared to help you design your project for maximum positive impact and provide the necessary assurance that the project achieved what it intended. This includes hiring an approved third-party auditor, called a validation and verification body or VVB, who provides independent verification of your project design and project performance.
PLAN PROJECT AND HOLD STAKEHOLDER CONSULTATION
Project Developers plan the project and carry out a stakeholder consultation on the proposed project design.
PRELIMINARY REVIEW BY SUSTAINCERT
SustainCERT reviews draft documentation and requests clarifications where required.
PRELIMINARY DESIGN APPROVAL
Approval by SustainCERT results in “GOLD STANDARD PROJECT LISTED” status, giving the project the green light to move forward.
THIRD-PARTY VALIDATION
Independent assessment conducted by an accredited validation and verification body (VVB), including a desk review and field visit.
PROJECT DESIGN REVIEW BY SUSTAINCERT
SustainCERT reviews documentation and requests clarifications and resolutions of corrective actions where required.
DESIGN CERTIFICATION
Approval by SustainCERT results in “GOLD STANDARD DESIGN CERTIFIED” status
PROJECT MONITORING
Project Developer monitors project according to the monitoring plan approved in project design review.
THIRD-PARTY VERIFICATION
Independent assessment conducted by an accredited validation and verification body (VVB), including a desk review and field visit.
PERFORMANCE REVIEW BY SUSTAINCERT
SustainCERT reviews documentation and requests clarifications and resolutions of corrective actions where required.
PERFORMANCE CERTIFICATION
Approval by SustainCERT results in “CERTIFIED GOLD STANDARD PROJECT” status and Gold Standard issuance of certified products and/or impact statements.
You'll find that some steps are iterative, requesting clarifications or actions to ensure your project conforms to Gold Standard's rules. Requirements will vary depending on your activity type, scale, and objective. For example, safeguards for forestry are different from renewable energy projects. And if you wish to monetise your impacts through issuance of carbon credits, renewable energy certificates or other assets, there are requirements for demonstrating "additionality" or financial need that are not required if you simply want to credibly report on the impact delivered by your project, supply chain intervention, or fund.
The certification process
The process is led by our partner SustainCERT, the official certification provider for Gold Standard for the Global Goals. It is geared to help you design your project for maximum positive impact and provide the necessary assurance that the project achieved what it intended. This includes hiring an approved third-party auditor, called a validation and verification body or VVB, who provides independent verification of your project design and project performance.
You'll find that some steps are iterative, requesting clarifications or actions to ensure your project conforms to Gold Standard's rules. Requirements will vary depending on your activity type, scale, and objective. For example, safeguards for forestry are different from renewable energy projects. And if you wish to monetise your impacts through issuance of carbon credits, renewable energy certificates or other assets, there are requirements for demonstrating "additionality" or financial need that are not required if you simply want to credibly report on the impact delivered by your project, supply chain intervention, or fund.
Costs of certification
The final costs for project implementation and certification vary according to project type, scale, and complexity. Fees paid to Gold Standard include an issuance fee on products (environmental assets like carbon credits or water benefit certificates) plus a flat fee for tracking on our public registry.
Additional costs come from project implementation, third-party reviews from validation and verification bodies (VVBs), which differ depending on project design and which VVB you choose, and certification review fees paid to SustainCERT, the official certification provider for Gold Standard for the Global Goals.
Estimate certification fees
You can calculate anticipated fees for project certification using this fee calculator. Note, these are estimates only and will vary depending on final project design, scale and complexity.
FEES LISTING
- registry fees
-
Project Types/Party Fee Type Fee All, VVB Annual Registry Account Fee $1,000 per account All, VVB Account Reactivation Fee $2,500 per suspension - Certification Review Fees
-
Project Types/Party Fee Type Fee Microscale Carbon Preliminary Review $500 per project LUF Carbon Preliminary Review $3,500 per project All other Preliminary Review $900 per project VER Carbon Project Design Review $0.15 per credit minus Preliminary Review Fee GS CER Carbon Project Design Review $0.05 per credit minus Preliminary Review Fee Renewable Energy Labels Project Design Review $1,500 per project ADALYs, Black Carbon Project Design Review $4,500 per project Microscale Carbon Performance Review $650 per project LUF Carbon Performance Review $1,500 per project ADALYs, Black Carbon Performance Review $4,500 per project All other Performance Review $1,000 per project - Fees for First Year of Issuance
-
Project Types/Party Fee Type Fee Carbon Gold Standard VER (Cash Fee and SOP) $0.15 per credit minus Performance Review fee paid Carbon Gold Standard CERs (Cash Fee and SOP) $0.05 per credit minus Performance Review Fee ADALYs --- To be determined RECs --- $0.10 per certificate LUF Carbon --- $0.30 per certificate - Subsequent Issuances
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Project Types/Party Fee Type Fee Carbon Gold Standard VER Cash Fee Structure $0.30 per credit minus Performance Review fee paid Carbon Gold Standard CER Cash Fee Structure $0.10 per credit minus Performance Review fee paid Carbon Gold Standard VER SOP Fee Structure $0.10 per credit + 2% of issuance minus Performance Review fee paid Carbon Gold Standard CER SOP Fee Structure $0.02 per credit plus 1.5% of issuance minus Performance Review fee paid ADALYs --- To be determined RECs --- $0.10 per certificate LUF Carbon --- $0.30 per certificate - Microscale Validation and Verification Fund Fees (Standalone & Programme)
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Project Types/Party Fee Type Fee Carbon Standalone - Validation Fee $5,000 per project Carbon Standalone - Annual Verification Fee $2,500 per project per year Carbon Programme - Validation $20,000 per programme Carbon Programme - 1st VPA Validation Fee $2,500 Carbon Programme - Inclusion/Validation Fee $2,500 per additional VPA Carbon Programme – Annual Verification Fee $1,500 per VPA - Other Services
-
Project Types/Party Fee Type Fee Carbon Additional Rounds of Review $50 per hour Carbon Crediting Renewal Period Fee $0.15 per credit (annual average) Carbon Design Change Fee The greater of $500 or $0.10 per credit, plus any applicable issuance fee Carbon Expedited Review Fee $2,500 Carbon Methodology Approval Fee Please contact Gold Standard LUF Carbon Soil Review Fee $500 - Conversion Fees
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Project Types/Party Fee Type Fee Carbon Gold Standard CER to Gold Standard VER Dependent upon any required certification reviews (please contact Gold Standard) Renewable Energy Labels (for RECs) Gold Standard VER/CER to Renewable Energy Label $750 per project - VVB Accreditation Fees
-
Project Types/Party Fee Type Fee VVB Application review fee(valid for 36 months) $2,500 per entity/1 scope$4,600 per entity/2 scopes VVB Application renewal fee(every 36 months) $1,500 per entity VVB Annual accreditation fee(covers 5 auditors) $1,500/1 scope$2,800/2 scopes VVB Annual fee per additional lead auditor $500 per person/1 scope VVB Fee per additional training $500 per person
Standard requirements and other documents
Gold Standard for the Global Goals documents are grouped by scope and purpose, and are customised to what your project aims to achieve.
Principles and Requirements
Applicable to all projects
Activity Requirements
Specific to project type and context (eg, community based or urban)
SDG Impact Methodologies
Specific to project and technology type and desired relevant SDG impact
Product Requirements
Specific to assets issued (eg, carbon credits or renewable energy labels)
Product Requirements
Specific to assets issued (eg, carbon credits or renewable energy labels)
Product Requirements
Specific to assets issued (eg, carbon credits or renewable energy labels)