With generous support from the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, Ministry of Sustainable Development and Infrastructure – Department of Environment, Gold Standard has developed Gender Guidelines and Requirements for use with Gold Standard for the Global Goals. The document includes two key elements:
1. Gender Sensitive Requirements (Steps 1-3 of the Guidelines & Requirements):
These represent the addition of latest best practice to Gold Standard’s Safeguarding Principles and Stakeholder Engagement & Consultation Requirements. These additions ensure that, at the process level, Gold Standard Projects are designed and implemented in a way that accounts for gender issues effectively and adheres to latest best practice.
2. Gender Responsive Framework (Steps 4-6 of the Guidelines & Requirements):
This section provides the framework for projects to demonstrate their progress and impact towards SDG 5 for performance-level certification.
The Gender Sensitive Requirements are mandatory for all projects and are part of the Gold Standard for the Global Goals documentation published in July 2017. The Gender Responsive Framework is published here for the first time. It is optional for projects to follow, but required if a Project Developer seeks to monetise the SDG 5 impacts of their projects separately from other project impacts. The Framework differs from typical carbon methodologies as it provides a framework for assessing, quantifying and monitoring a variety of indicators rather than assessing one single metric.
Scope of Consultation & Specific feedback sought:
Gold Standard seeks feedback on the Gold Standard Gender Equality Guidelines & Requirements, specifically the Gender Responsive Framework (Steps 4-6, from page 11). Additional documents referenced in these Requirements include:
- Gold Standard Safeguarding Principles & Requirements – (see Section 3.2 – Gender Equality and Women’s Rights)
- Gold Standard Stakeholder Consultation & Engagement Guidelines & Requirements – (gender sensitivity is referenced throughout the document)
- Gold Standard Gender Policy – attached below (for information only)
All stakeholder feedback is welcome though Gold Standard specifically encourages comments on the following key questions:
1. Should any further guidelines or clarification be included in the Gender Equality Guidelines & Requirements document?
2. Do these guidelines fit well with stakeholders' projects as typically brought forward for Gold Standard certification?
3. Is the difference between gender sensitive and gender responsive approach clearly outlined in the document? Does it make sense?
4. Are the requirements to comply with gender sensitive and gender responsive approach clearly outlined and easy to follow in the document?
5. What value and incentive do you potentially foresee in pursuing gender responsive certification?
We are also seeking Project Developers interested in applying the Gender Responsive Requirements to their projects.
Scope and applicability:
Portions of the Guidelines & Requirements (Steps 1-3) are designed to be applied by any Gold Standard project seeking certification under Gold Standard for the Global Goals at the design, or process level. Steps 4-6 are to be applied by any project seeking Gender-responsive certification at the performance level and/or for monetisation.