Gold Standard

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Gold Standard is a carbon offset program that is focused on progressing the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). It was established by the World Wildlife Fund and other NGOs, and it is designed to ensure that carbon offsets are generated by projects that have real, measurable benefits for the environment and for local communities. Gold Standard projects are rigorously screened for true environmental impact through UN-accredited independent auditors. They must also meet a number of additional requirements. For example, the project must reduce greenhouse gas emissions by at least 20% below the baseline. Gold Standard projects are a valuable tool for companies that want to offset their carbon emissions and make a positive impact on the environment. They are also a good way to support sustainable development in developing countries.

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The Gold Standard has a two-tiered rating system:

• Gold: Projects that meet the Gold Standard criteria must reduce greenhouse gas emissions by at least 20% below business-as-usual levels, and they must also meet a number of other environmental and social criteria.
• Verified: Projects that meet the Verified criteria must reduce greenhouse gas emissions by at least 5% below business-as-usual levels, and they must also meet a number of environmental and social criteria. These criteria are similar to the Gold Standard criteria, but they are not as stringent.

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