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Gold Standard today publishes its Engineered Removals Activity Requirements, a comprehensive framework to guide high integrity engineered carbon dioxide removal (CDR) projects towards certification. Building on over 20 years of leadership in the voluntary carbon market (VCM), this release represents Gold Standard’s aim to develop additional engineered removal methodologies and boost project development, applying the same scientific rigour and stakeholder integrity that continues to define the NGO’s work.
The Engineered Removals Activity Requirements, published today, sets out the high level requirements for high integrity engineered carbon dioxide removal projects seeking Gold Standard certification.
The Activity Requirements define reversal risk mitigation measures, mandatory buffer contributions and robust safeguards for sustainable development. They align with emerging frameworks such as the EU Carbon Removal Certification Framework, ICAO CORSIA, Paris Agreement Article 6.4 and evolving national policies.
Dr Fiona Perera, Manager, Methodology Development & Innovations at Gold Standard and member of the SBTi Removals Expert Working Group, said:
“As companies move towards net zero, best practice frameworks are increasingly recognising that carbon removals must complement emissions reductions. Accurate measurement and the responsible use of removal credits are essential to uphold integrity in this rapidly growing sector. Gold Standard is proud to be helping to shape these standards and our ongoing work with the SBTi’s Expert Working Group for the forthcoming NetZero Standard 2.0 will help to ensure that rigorous criteria for removals are embedded at the heart of corporate climate action.”
At the same time, Gold Standard reaffirms that aggressive emissions reductions must go hand in hand with credible engineered removals to keep the 1.5 °C goal within reach.
Margaret Kim, Chief Executive Officer at Gold Standard said:
“Engineered removals are essential to achieving a 1.5 °C pathway. We have certified biological CDR solutions for two decades; now we are applying that same integrity and collaborative approach to engineered CDR. We invite developers to use these requirements and work with us to build new methodologies and deliver durable projects that benefit local communities.”
Gold Standard’s first engineered CDR methodology – Accelerated Carbonation of Concrete Aggregate which was released in collaboration with Neustark – was published in 2022, with the inaugural credit issuance in April 2024. Two existing methodologies have recently been updated (Version 2, June 2025) and are available immediately:
- Carbon Mineralisation using Reactive Mineral Waste (in collaboration withby Neustark), with expanded baseline setting and a wider scope of eligible mineral wastes
- Biomass Fermentation with Carbon Capture and Geologic Storage (in collaboration with Summit Carbon), featuring enhanced leakage options and guidance for future expansion. This methodology is also now eligible for expansion to a wider range of CO2 sources, including from bioenergy (BECCS) and other industrial processes.
Both methodologies are under review by the Integrity Council for the Voluntary Carbon Market for alignment with the Core Carbon Principles. Also under development is a biochar methodology, which will aim to cover both artisan and industrial-scale production.
New methodology development with Gold Standard is highly encouraged. Developers working on the next generation CDR solutions looking to develop a high integrity, robust methodologies should submit a concept note to Gold Standard.
In line with Gold Standard’s framework, every project must deliver contributions to at least three Sustainable Development Goals. Additionally, Gold Standard is developing a ‘Just and Sustainable Transitions Framework’ to further strengthen the sustainable development impact of projects, ensuring engineered CDR projects deliver economic, social and environmental benefits to host communities.
Gold Standard will host a webinar “Engineered removals: the importance of integrity and building carbon market opportunities” on the 18 September 2025, at 14:00 (CEST) register here.