In July 2017, we published Gold Standard for the Global Goals, our next-generation standard to quantify, certify and maximise impacts toward climate security and sustainable development. This new standard supersedes all earlier versions of our standards. To learn how to transition your current project to Gold Standard for the Global Goals, refer to our Transition Requirements>>
However, you can access documents from our earlier standard below.
How important are forests?
According to the FAO 13 million hectares are being deforested every year and an area of over 100 million hectares count as ’degraded forests’. Today, over 1.6 billion people’s livelihoods depend on forests, which generates an economic value of over US$300 billion.
To ensure we maintain the highest standards our Technical Advisory Committee meets on a regular basis to discuss regulatory decisions for methodologies, rules and procedures. For more information on our latest rule updates>>
2.1 – Key Project Information- 3.1 – Do-No-Harm Assessment
- 3.2 – Local Stakeholder Consultation (LSC)
- 3.3 – List of Inputs & Grievances
- 3.5 – Cover Letter
- 3.5 – Sustainability Monitoring Plan
- 3.5 – Project Participants & Secured Titles
- 3.5 – Terms & Conditions (LUF)
- 3.6 – Risk Register
- 4.1 – AR CDM Additionality Tool
- 4.1 – Additionality
- 5.1 – Applicability
- 5.4 – Other Emissions
- 5.5 – Baseline
- 5.6 – Leakage
- 5.7 – CO2-Fixation
- 6.1 – Carbon Performance
- 7.2 – Annual Report
Input & Grievance Mechanism- Input & Grievance Mechanism (ESPAÑOL)
- Local Stakeholder Consultation (LSC)
- Local Stakeholder Consultation (LSC) (ESPAÑOL)
- Smallholder & Microscale
- Mangroves
- Validated CO2-Certificates
- Retroactive
- Registry Operational Guidelines
A/R Soil Carbon Tool- Double Counting Guidelines
- LUF Risks & Capacities
For project specific inquiries please see our FAQs or contact us via info@goldstandard.org. For clarification requests regarding the interpretation of our requirements or guidelines please contact the technical staff of the Land Use & Forests Team. For more information on previously submitted clarification requests>>
| Description | Fee (USD) |
| Annual Registry Account Fee | $1000 per account |
| Pre-feasibility Assessment | $3500 |
| Gold Standard review | $1500 |
| Issuance fee | $0.30 per CO2 certificate issued |
The certification costs from the independent auditor depend primarily on the scale, complexity and location of a project. A project must be certified every 5 years. The average price for an ‘Initial Certification’ is US$ 20,000. The cost of a ‘Performance Certification’ is about US$ 10,000.
A/R Methodologies
| Methodologies |
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The methodology to determine the net carbon stock of A/R projects is included in the requirements. The following guideline describes the procedure that needs to be followed for any methodology that seeks approval under the ‘Gold Standard Land Use & Forests’ scope: |
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Guidelines for our methodology approval process |
