Paris Agreement Alignment  

What is Paris Agreement Alignment? 

Gold Standard has announced that its requirements and methodologies are to be aligned with the Paris Agreement (PA). This means delivering:  

Why alignment with the long-term temperature and emissions goals of the Paris Agreement matters? 

The Paris Agreement provides a unified framework built on transparency, global cooperation, and continual improvement. Its central aim is to limit global temperature rise to 1.5°C and calls for ambition to increase over time, while accelerating climate-resilient development and strengthening adaptation to the impacts of climate change. Central to this framework is the need to protect people and nature, ensuring that climate action supports resilience, livelihoods, ecosystems, and sustainable development alongside emissions reduction. Central to this framework is the need to protect people and nature, ensuring that climate action supports resilience, livelihoods, ecosystems, and sustainable development alongside emissions reduction.

With all Parties now implementing Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), carbon markets must operate within this framework to prevent undermining these goals.  

Gold Standard is therefore updating its framework to align with the Paris Agreement’s long-term temperature and emissions goals for all 2026+ vintage credits, including:  

This approach meets the rising expectations of SBTi, ICVCM, and CORSIA, ensuring credits remain fungible across Article 6 and domestic markets.  

What this means for Gold Standard projects?

Aligning with Paris will enable Gold Standard projects to: 

As the first major independent standard to take this step, we aim to lead this transition to ensure we continue to define and shape the market in a way that balances integrity with pragmatism.  

Why Gold Standard is Transitioning in 2026

Gold Standard has set 1 January 2026 as the transition point for Paris-aligned methodologies to provide clarity, protect integrity, and provide a clear start point for Paris Aligned credits.

• Paris Agreement implementation: Countries are now implementing Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs). From 2026 onwards, carbon credits must reflect this reality to avoid over-crediting against outdated baselines.
• End of legacy methodologies: Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) methodologies are being withdrawn, as they are no longer suited to the Paris Agreement era.
• Market expectations: Buyers and frameworks such as CORSIA, ICVCM, and corporate net-zero standards are increasingly expecting credits to be grounded in national pathways and Paris-aligned ambition.
• Clear transition date: The 1 January 2026 date provides a clear and transparent boundary so that all 2026+ vintages are Paris-aligned, while allowing projects to transition in a managed way through defined milestones and transitional arrangements rather than immediate changes on day one.

Key methodological changes

The transition to a Paris Agreement-aligned methodology introduces changes to how emission reductions and removals are quantified and verified. The table below summaries these changes, with further info in the Paris Agreement Alignment Guidelines and Paris Agreement Alignment FAQs or visit SDG Impact Quantification Methodologies to view the full methodology requirements.  

Paris Alignment Requirements & Guidance

Gold Standard has published requirements and supporting guidance for aligning Gold Standard activities to methodologies aligned with the Paris Agreement. Thank you to all those who contributed to the consultation process. The results of the consultation can be viewed on the GS4GG Paris Alignment consultation page.  

Requirements for Paris Alignment  

This core standard provides the mandatory procedural framework for transitioning all GS4GG activities. It mandates that all carbon credits (GSVERs) with a vintage of 1 January 2026 and onwards must be quantified using PA-aligned methodologies. 

Guidelines for Paris Agreement Alignment 

This document complements the Requirements for Paris Agreement Alignment by explaining the "why" and "how" of the transition. It provides practical context on how the methodological changes will affect project operations and credit volumes. 

Paris Agreement Alignment FAQs

This comprehensive FAQ page consolidates all questions raised to date and is a great resource for better understanding this transition. Email [email protected] for questions not already covered. 

Process for aligning Gold Standard methodologies

From Q4 2025, Gold Standard is reviewing and updating all Gold Standard methodologies to align with these requirements. When ready, each updated methodology will be posted, along with supplementary information, a summary of key changes and specific information on the transitional arrangements - including any applicable exemptions - for a  30-day public consultation before seeking final Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) approval.  

The proposed schedule for methodology review and alignment is available online. Those methodologies that are applied most often or have the most impact have been prioritized. 

• Track and engage: We encourage Project Developers and VVBs to closely monitor the PA-Alignment schedule and engage proactively with the draft methodology as soon as it is available for public consultation to anticipate changes in monitoring and calculations. 

Resources

• Paris Agreement-aligned methodologies: List of all Paris-Aligned methodologies eligible for use under Gold Standard for the Global Goals for projects seeking 2026+ vintage carbon credits. 
• PA-alignment schedule: Provides provisional timelines for methodology review 
• Open consultations: View and feedback into the methodology consultations  

Developing new projects

For new projects entering the pipeline the first step would be to review the relevant Paris Agreement Alignment Requirements and consult the PA-alignment Schedule to check methodology review status, the expected publication date of its PA-aligned replacement, and a link to specific transition guidance.  

Review cycles that are already underway can be completed using the non PA-aligned methodology. Certification is valid for issuing credits up to 2025 vintage. For 2026 vintage credits and beyond a "PA Alignment Validation" will be required. 

KEY DATES

• If a project activity is submitted for review before 30 June 2026, an existing non-PA aligned methodology or methodology version may be used.
  NOTE: It is recommended to use a published Article 6-aligned methodology if one is available.  
• If submitted for review after 30 June 2026, a project activity must use an PA-aligned methodology.  

Our step-by-step certification guide provides an overview of the process for certifying activities to Gold Standard for the Global Goals and the team are ready to support via [email protected].   

Transitioning existing projects

Transitioning existing projects to new, Paris Agreement Aligned (PAA) methodologies requires an approach that balances enhanced environmental integrity with the practical realities of ongoing projects. 

Gold Standard has developed a structured transition pathway which includes a Paris Alignment design change and gap validation focused on the changes required to meet the PA aligned methodology. While there is a mandate for immediate adoption of critical PAA elements and enhanced MRV, where appropriate, grandfathering provisions (exemptions) for parameters fixed under old rules may be applicable for some methodologies. 

Specific information on the transitional arrangements, including any applicable exemptions, are located in guidance documents published alongside each individual methodology. We encourage project developers to read these guidance documents ahead of the updated methodology.  

GUIDING PRINCIPLES 

• Vintage 2026+ credits shall be based on a Paris-Aligned methodology. 
• Forward-Looking Compliance: New requirements apply to future monitoring periods i.e., vintage 2026 and beyond, rather than retroactively. 
• Immediate PAA Alignment: Core requirements essential for PAA status (e.g., Downward Adjustment Factor (DAF), Regulatory Surplus, enhanced MRV rigor) shall be adopted for any credits claimed for vintage 2026+. 
• Targeted validation: The validation scope shall concentrate only on the changes required to meet new iteration of the methodology.  Specific training is provided to VVBs to ensure consistency and clarity in scope. 

TRANSITION POINTS

• Mid-Crediting Period (Mid-CP): Once PA aligned methodology is available for use, projects can transition either at the next review milestone (design certification, performance certification) or with an independent design change. Transition to a PA-aligned methodology must be completed before submission of a vintage 2026 issuance request. NOTE: To reduce transaction costs and audit frequency, it is recommended to combine Performance Certification and PAA Validation as an issuance track design change.  
• At Crediting Period Renewal (CPR): Projects are obliged to transition when applying for the next 5-year period. This process requires full compliance. Exceptionally, if a required PA-Aligned methodology is unavailable by a project’s required submission deadline, the project shall be granted an automatic exemption. In such cases, a project shall complete submission within 6 months after relevant PA-aligned methodology is published.  

 
GENERAL STEPS TO INITIATE PROCESS 

• Track: Check the Gold Standard PA alignment schedule for the publication date of the relevant PA-aligned methodology.  
• Revise: Update your Project Design Document (PDD) and monitoring plan, monitoring data, calculations and monitoring report to conform with the new methodology.  
• Validate and verify: Engage a GS-VVB to conduct an "PA Alignment Validation" of the design change. To reduce transaction costs and audit frequency,  Performance Certification and PAA Validation can be combined as an issuance track design change.  
• Submit (Assurance Platform): Validation report and revised documents via the Assurance Platform. Specific request types for Paris Alignment will be available.  
• Review: The design change will be reviewed for approval.  
• Verify: Once approved, subsequent verifications (for 2026+ vintages) will be conducted against the PA-aligned methodology. 

Developing new PA-aligned methodologies

Aimed at methodology developers, these documents provide the requirements to ensure any new methodology or a methodology revision is aligned with the principles of the Paris Agreement. Full methodology requirements, including the process, are located at SDG Impact Quantification Methodologies. 

Methodology Standard - Requirements 

• Requirements for methodology development v.1.0
  Methodology requirements that ensures credible and effective carbon credit generation aligned with Paris Agreement. 
• Requirements for additionality demonstration v.1.0
  Methodology requirements for additionality demonstration for GS4GG certification 
• Requirements for addressing leakage in methodologies
  Methodology requirements for identifying and addressing leakage emissions in GHG accounting methodologies.  
• Requirements for Baseline Determination in Methodologies
  Methodology requirements for establishing baselines within methodologies endorsed by Gold Standard for the Global Goals. 
• Requirements for Suppressed Demand Accounting in Methodologies (to be published in 2026)
  Methodology requirements for accounting for suppressed demand.  

Methodology Standard – Tools & Templates 

• Downward Adjustment Factor (DAF) Determination Tool
  Establishes criteria and default factors for adjusting project baselines to ensure integrity and incentivise higher national ambition (2026–2030). It provide default DAF values for 188 countries to streamline and simplify the application of the methodologies. 
• Common Practice Analysis Tool
  Introduces a robust, standardised framework for assessing common practice, with differentiated thresholds for Least Developed Countries (LDCs) and Small Island Developing States (SIDS).
• A6.4 Tool – investment analysis
  This tool helps project developers demonstrate whether credit revenues are a decisive factor in making the investment financially viable by comparing the project expected returns to realistic alternatives.
• Concept note template 
  Updated to include Paris-related sections (e.g., BAU versus baseline setting) 

How Gold Standard will support stakeholders

We understand that transitioning to Paris Aligned methodologies will impact all projects and we are here to help support project developers through this transition phase. 

WEBINARS AND Q&A SESSIONS

Gold Standard will be hosting regular webinars on the following dates to provide more information on newly aligned PA methodologies ready for use and how these should be applied in practice.

Paris alignment webinar schedule:  

• 17 Mar 2026 13:00 CET  
• 21 Apr 2026 13:00 CEST 
• 23 Jun 2026 13:00 CEST 

More details, registration links and question submission forms will be shared in January 2026.

ONLINE COURSE FOR VALIDATION AND VERIFICATION BODIES (VVBs) 

We are developing an online course, which will be available on the Gold Standard Learning Platform Gold Standard Learning Platform, to help ensure auditors understand the scope and requirements of alignment audits required for Paris Agreement Alignment. This will be complemented with regular calibration sessions to answer any auditor questions.  

PARIS AGREEMENT ALIGNMENT FAQ 

We have developed a comprehensive FAQ page including questions raised to individuals directly, from webinars, or via our helpdesk. These FAQs will evolve and be kept up to date and are a great resource for better understanding this transition. If you have a question that isn’t included, you can reach out to [email protected] for more support.  

EMAIL OUR HELPDESK  

Our team is ready and waiting to help you through this transition process. If you have a query, question or would like support in transitioning your project to PA aligned methodologies, please do not hesitate to reach out to [email protected] for guidance.   

PARIS AGREEMENT ALIGNED TOOLS & GUIDANCE  

The team have been busy developing practical tools and templates to help simplify the approach for understanding and calculating relevant methodological changes. 

• Paris Agreement Alignment Guidance  
  Guidance for transitioning to Paris Agreement Aligned methodologies 
• Supplementary guidance at a methodology level  
  Specific information on the summary of changes and transitional arrangements, including any applicable exemptions is located in the guidance documents published alongside each individual methodology.
• Standard development tools 
  Tools that include default values that can be applied directly, without the need for further justification. Such tools include DAF Tool and Common Practice Tool. 

WEBINAR RECORDINGS

Paris Alignment Consultations

Gold Standard has always recognised the importance and necessity of aligning to the Principles of the Paris Agreement, consulting with the market on how best to align since 2020.  

Open consultations:  

All consultations can be viewed on this page.  

Historical consultations:  

This table below links to all Paris Agreement related public consultations over the years. 

Communications and reports

In case you missed an important announcement or our latest technical newsletter on Paris Alignment for Gold Standard projects, the table below provides an overview of all PA alignment related communications and reports sent over the years. 

• Oct 2025 - Technical newsletter - GS4GG Paris Agreement Alignment 
• Oct 2025 - Gold Standard news - PARIS AGREEMENT ALIGNMENT    
• April 2025 - Technical newsletter - Important Updates Across Gold Standard for the Global Goals – requirements for methodology development 
• Jan 2023 - A Practitioners Guide - Aligning the Voluntary Carbon Market with the Paris Agreement 
• Feb 2021 - Opinion - Comment: We’re still in – let’s align the voluntary carbon market with Paris rather than play by our own rules | GS 
• June 2020 - Policy Brief - CONSULTATION: Operationalising and Scaling Post-2020 Voluntary Carbon Market 

For more information subscribe to receive Gold Standard newsletters. Previous editions of our communications are located in the Gold Standard newsletter archive. 

Other useful resources

• Authorisations under Article 6: How to apply corresponding adjustments to avoid double counting 
• CORSIA: Guidance on eligibility criteria and process for labelling 
• Carbon Market Regulations Tracker: Central information hub, offering standardised summaries and direct links to relevant regulations concerning baseline-and-crediting market activities, within voluntary carbon markets and those under Article 6 of the Paris Agreement.