Certify a project
to Gold Standard
Certifying your project to Gold Standard for the Global Goals enables you to design your project for maximum positive impact and quantify outcomes toward climate security and sustainable development in the most credible way.
Gold Standard for the Global Goals
Standard requirements are tailored to your specific activity and objectives - whether you wish to monetise impacts through issuance of carbon credits or other instruments, or simply certify project impacts for credibility and brand value. New user-friendly IT tools currently in development will simplify monitoring, reporting and verification (MRV) and provide dynamic data visualisation capabilities to bring your project's impact to life.
Developers have multiple options for certification:
- Originate a project
- Transition an existing project from the UN CDM or other standards to Gold Standard
- Certify the sustainable development impacts of a project issued under another standard
The benefits of certifying to Gold Standard
GREATER IMPACT AND VALUE
Rigorous safeguards, stakeholder engagement, and methodologies maximise the climate and SDG impacts of your projects. For those issuing environmental commodities like carbon credits, this often leads to price premiums. Gold Standard also offers the ability to calculate the economic value created by your specific project and communicate this impact in compelling
STREAMLINED PROJECT DEVELOPMENT PROCESS
Our partnership with SustainCERT, the official certification body for Gold Standard for the Global Goals, is geared to reduce costs and complexities of the certification process, with an aim to fully digitise the certification process by 2020.
BRAND REPUTATION
Our NGO Supporter Network and strategic partnerships with industry thought leaders helps ensure that we remain the highest standard for climate and development initiatives.
Process to be Certified Gold Standard
PLAN PROJECT AND HOLD STAKEHOLDER CONSULTATION
Before the project starts, Project Developers should:
- Confirm the basic project design
- Assess against Gold Standard safeguards
- Estimate climate and sustainable development impacts
- Prepare a Key Project Information note summarising the above
Hold a Gold Standard Stakeholder Consultation Meeting
To start the Gold Standard certification process, projects must open a registry account and pay the annual registry fee of ($1000). See Gold Standard Principles + Requirements for more details
PRELIMINARY REVIEW BY SUSTAINCERT
SustainCERT reviews draft documentation and requests clarifications where required.
Projects must:
- Submit a completed Stakeholder Consultation Report
- Submit Draft Project Design Document (PDD), including:
- Safeguarding Principles Assessment
- Estimation of climate and sustainable development impacts
- Monitoring Plan - Submit signed GS4GG Cover Letter
- Submit signed Gold Standard Terms & Conditions
- Pay Preliminary Review Fee ($900*)
PRELIMINARY DESIGN APPROVAL
Approval of the Preliminary Review 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). This consists of both a desk review and field visit and provides independent confirmation that the project is in line with the Gold Standard Requirements.
Projects must:
- Have “Gold Standard Project Listed” status
- Identify, contract and pay VVB to carry out validation - Find an approved VVB>>
- Provide a fully completed Project Design Document (PDD) and all relevant supporting documentation for VVB validation
PROJECT DESIGN REVIEW BY SUSTAINCERT
SustainCERT reviews documentation and requests clarifications and resolutions of corrective actions where required.
Projects must:
- Have a positive validation opinion from VVB
- Submit VVB approved Project Design Document (PDD) and all relevant supporting documentation
- Submit VVB Final Validation Report
- Pay Design Review Fee ($1000*)
DESIGN CERTIFICATION
SustainCERT certifies:
- Safeguards are covered by the project design
- Stakeholder inclusive design
- Robust monitoring plan
- Estimated climate and sustainable development impacts
Approval results in “GOLD STANDARD DESIGN CERTIFIED” status
PROJECT MONITORING
Project Developer monitors project according to the approved monitoring plan.
Projects must:
- Continuously engage with stakeholders
- Submit Annual Reports in years when verification does not occur
- Prepare a Monitoring Report for verification to request issuance of impact statements and/or products
THIRD-PARTY VERIFICATION
Independent assessment conducted by an accredited validation and verification body (VVB). This consists of both a desk review and field visit and provides independent confirmation that the project and its impacts are in line with the Gold Standard Requirements.
Projects must:
- Have “Gold Standard Design Certified” status
- Identify, contract and pay VVB to carry out verification
- Provide a fully completed Monitoring Report (MR) and all relevant supporting documentation for VVB verification
PERFORMANCE REVIEW BY SUSTAINCERT
SustainCERT reviews documentation and requests clarifications and resolutions of corrective actions where required.
Project must:
- Have a positive verification opinion from VVB
- Submit VVB approved Monitoring Report and all relevant supporting documentation
- Submit VVB Final Verification Report
- Pay Performance Review Fee ($1000*)
PERFORMANCE CERTIFICATION
SustainCERT certifies:
- Adherence to safeguards
- Adherence to stakeholder inclusivity
- Climate and sustainable development impact achieved
Issuance of certified SDG impact statements and/or products
Approval results in “CERTIFIED GOLD STANDARD PROJECT” status and Gold Standard issuance of certified products and/or impact statements.
KEY
* Review fees vary according to project type – this is the most common fee
For transparency, all projects are published in the Gold Standard Impact Registry at the beginning of the process.
Our standard documents are grouped by scope and purpose and are customised to feature the relevant requirements, safeguards, and methodologies based on what your project aims to achieve.
PLAN PROJECT AND HOLD STAKEHOLDER CONSULTATION
Before the project starts, Project Developers should:
- Confirm the basic project design
- Assess against Gold Standard safeguards
- Estimate climate and sustainable development impacts
- Prepare a Key Project Information note summarising the above
Hold a Gold Standard Stakeholder Consultation Meeting
To start the Gold Standard certification process, projects must open a registry account and pay the annual registry fee of ($1000). See Gold Standard Principles + Requirements for more details
PRELIMINARY REVIEW BY SUSTAINCERT
SustainCERT reviews draft documentation and requests clarifications where required.
Projects must:
- Submit a completed Stakeholder Consultation Report
- Submit Draft Project Design Document (PDD), including:
- Safeguarding Principles Assessment
- Estimation of climate and sustainable development impacts
- Monitoring Plan - Submit signed GS4GG Cover Letter
- Submit signed Gold Standard Terms & Conditions
- Pay Preliminary Review Fee ($900*)
PRELIMINARY DESIGN APPROVAL
Approval of the Preliminary Review 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). This consists of both a desk review and field visit and provides independent confirmation that the project is in line with the Gold Standard Requirements.
Projects must:
- Have “Gold Standard Project Listed” status
- Identify, contract and pay VVB to carry out validation - Find an approved VVB>>
- Provide a fully completed Project Design Document (PDD) and all relevant supporting documentation for VVB validation
PROJECT DESIGN REVIEW BY SUSTAINCERT
SustainCERT reviews documentation and requests clarifications and resolutions of corrective actions where required.
Projects must:
- Have a positive validation opinion from VVB
- Submit VVB approved Project Design Document (PDD) and all relevant supporting documentation
- Submit VVB Final Validation Report
- Pay Design Review Fee ($1000*)
DESIGN CERTIFICATION
SustainCERT certifies:
- Safeguards are covered by the project design
- Stakeholder inclusive design
- Robust monitoring plan
- Estimated climate and sustainable development impacts
Approval results in “GOLD STANDARD DESIGN CERTIFIED” status
PROJECT MONITORING
Project Developer monitors project according to the approved monitoring plan.
Projects must:
- Continuously engage with stakeholders
- Submit Annual Reports in years when verification does not occur
- Prepare a Monitoring Report for verification to request issuance of impact statements and/or products
THIRD-PARTY VERIFICATION
Independent assessment conducted by an accredited validation and verification body (VVB). This consists of both a desk review and field visit and provides independent confirmation that the project and its impacts are in line with the Gold Standard Requirements.
Projects must:
- Have “Gold Standard Design Certified” status
- Identify, contract and pay VVB to carry out verification - Find an approved VVB>>
- Provide a fully completed Project Monitoring Report (MR) and all relevant supporting documentation for VVB verification
PERFORMANCE REVIEW BY SUSTAINCERT
SustainCERT reviews documentation and requests clarifications and resolutions of corrective actions where required.
Project must:
- Have a positive verification opinion from VVB
- Submit VVB approved Monitoring Report and all relevant supporting documentation
- Submit VVB Final Verification Report
- Pay Performance Review Fee ($1000*)
PERFORMANCE CERTIFICATION
SustainCERT certifies:
- Adherence to safeguards
- Adherence to stakeholder inclusivity
- Climate and sustainable development impact achieved
Issuance of certified SDG impact statements and/or products
Approval results in “CERTIFIED GOLD STANDARD PROJECT” status and Gold Standard issuance of certified products and/or impact statements.
KEY
For transparency, all projects are published in the Gold Standard Impact Registry at the beginning of the process.
Our standard documents are grouped by scope and purpose and are customised to what your project aims to achieve.
Standard Requirements and other Documents
Gold Standard for the Global Goals is our next-generation standard, designed to accelerate progress toward climate security and sustainable development. The standard enables initiatives to quantify, certify and maximize their impacts toward climate security and the Sustainable Development Goals, while enhanced safeguards, holistic project design, management of trade-offs and local stakeholder engagement ensure Gold Standard continues to deliver the highest levels of environmental and social integrity.
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)
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)
Fees
Certification costs vary according to project type, scale, and complexity. Fees paid to Gold Standard include an issuance fee on products like carbon credits or renewable energy labels, plus a flat fee for tracking on our public Impact Registry.
Additional costs come from project implementation, third-party reviews by approved Validation and Verification Bodies, and certification review fees paid to SustainCERT, the official certification provide for Gold Standard for the Global Goals.
View the Gold Standard for the Global Goals fee schedule
Estimate your project costs
FEES LISTING
- registry fees
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
Next steps
If you think your project will benefit from being Gold Standard certified, get started by contacting SustainCERT, the official certification provider for Gold Standard for the Global Goals, to begin the process.
