Gold Standard

2023 was a pivotal year for Gold Standard.   We added 376 new projects to our pipeline and reached the milestone of 1,500 fully certified projects since our inception. Gold Standard annual carbon credit issuances grew by 41%, and organisations retired 29 million Gold Standard carbon credits, an increase from 2022, demonstrating continued demand for high-quality carbon credits.     But carbon credits represent more than emission reductions. We also calculate the “shared value” our certified projects deliver through co-benefits for local communities, such as decent work and good health. Along with our partners, Gold Standard projects created a record US$10.3 billion of shared value, bringing our all-time total to US$46 billion. This economic value is calculated as per data from independent research studies.       Other key highlights include:      ❇ Carbon Market   - A record 23 public consultations were published - including innovative methodology concepts for Aircraft Contrails and Coal Decommissioning - and we released six new methodologies. - In a first for the voluntary carbon market, Gold Standard attached Paris Agreement Article 6 authorisation labels to carbon credits on the Gold Standard Impact Registry.      ❇ Sustainable Finance   - The very first funds under our Pilot Impact Portfolio Requirements received design certification.  - Our Pilot Adaptation Requirements and guidance documents received key updates, and we ran adaptation workshops in Ecuador, South Africa and Portugal.      ❇ Corporate Climate Action   - The first iteration of our Fairly Contributing to Global Net Zero Framework and Claims Guidelines were released.   - The Advanced and Indirect Mitigation (AIM) Platform was established by Gold Standard and partners, serving as a hub for removing barriers to ‘value chain’ mitigation.      We thank all our partners, supporters and collaborators for their dedication, ambition, and support throughout 2023.      But is still plenty more to be achieved!      Our work for 2024 is well underway, and we look forward to working with our partners to achieve great things again this year. Together, we can make real progress towards Climate Security and Sustainable Development for all. Download our Annual Report for 2023 here: https://lnkd.in/er8mfUdd

🌍 Reminder: It’s Not Too Late to Sign Up for The Innovative Finance Webinar! 🌍 If you haven’t registered, there’s still time to join the Clean Cooking Alliance’s Finance in Action webinar series kick-off event! This webinar will explore how digital innovations are emerging as critical catalysts for advancing clean cooking carbon projects and enhancing efficiency, transparency, and impact. Panel: • Allen Fan, CEO, CarbonHQ • Anantha Karthik Rajagopalan K Rajagopalan, Director of Carbon Programme, UpEnergy Group • Hugh Salway, Senior Director, Market Development and Partnerships, Gold Standard • James Cooper, Head Of Origination – Environmental Products, Mercuria • Olivier Lefebvre, Founder, Climate Solutions consulting • Reshma Shah, Carbon Markets Lead, FSD Africa • Vincent Wierda, Global Energy Lead, United Nations Capital Development Fund (UNCDF) Moderator: • Feisal Hussain, Senior Director of Innovative Finance, Clean Cooking Alliance (CCA) Don’t miss out on this opportunity to learn from distinguished experts and engage in interactive discussions. Webinar: Digital Innovation Challenge 🗓️ Date: Tuesday (TODAY), 9 July 2024 🕘 Time: 15:00 - 16:30 CEST 🔗 Register here: https://lnkd.in/euHFFdQJ #CleanCooking #InnovativeFinance #Webinar #Sustainability #CarbonMarkets

Invitation to Join Gold Standard’s Carbon Market Training Network  Gold Standard is seeking expressions of interest from organisations that are training carbon market stakeholders to join a new pilot collaboration. Under the pilot, Gold Standard and the participating organisations will co-design and deliver training resources and other forms of support, with the aim of strengthening local expertise in carbon markets and carbon finance. Who are we looking for? Organisations that are either already offering carbon market support to local stakeholders (e.g., project developers and project owners) in project host countries or would like to offer such services in the future.  Why join the pilot? - Receive new resources designed to meet the needs of participating organisations and their local stakeholders  - Access support from Gold Standard and external experts in priority topics  - Peer-to-peer exchange and learning from similar organisations in other countries  The focus areas of the pilot will be defined by the participating organisations. The pilot is expected to run between August 2024 and March 2025.  Apply now to be part of this collaborative initiative to strengthen expertise in carbon markets across countries and regions. https://lnkd.in/ePQRnvqN 📆 Deadline for expressions of interest: 26 July 2024

Gold Standard-issued Verified Emission Reduction (VERs) are eligible for use under four national carbon taxes globally, allowing companies to use VERs to meet some or all of their tax compliance obligations. By taking this route, companies can provide finance for activities delivering certified impact towards climate security and sustainable development, under our internationally-recognised standard. 🌍 A growing number of countries have introduced carbon pricing policies, putting a price on GHG emissions through carbon taxes, emissions trading systems, or other mechanisms. We recently published country-specific guidance documentation for using our credits towards compliance obligations, for Chile, Colombia, Singapore and South Africa. The documents can be found here: https://lnkd.in/eEMSNreJ Gold Standard looks forward to supporting more governments and companies in this area. For more information, please contact our Government Relations Manager, Kavya Bajaj.

If we are to reach global net-zero, then it is vital that companies measure, abate and take responsibility for 100% of their emissions – scopes 1, 2 and 3. Over the last month, we have published a series of blogs on corporate climate responsibility. These cover: The urgent need for corporate action, why we don’t think carbon credits are the answer for scope 3 targets, what action companies should take on their scope 3 emissions, and finally what companies should do if they miss their targets. 🖥️ Join our webinar on 25th July 2024 ⏰14:30 - 15:30 (CEST): 🔗https://lnkd.in/ehYDH2hB If you would like to understand how companies can take responsibility for their ongoing emissions and contribute to our collective journey towards global net-zero then sign up for our webinar, where Gold Standard experts Owen Hewlett and Dan Magrath will demystify the actions required: You can also read the latest iteration of our climate framework at the following link: 🔗https://lnkd.in/eCBk3nsM

In recent years, we have seen increasing convergence between voluntary and compliance markets globally and a more active role for national governments in regulating carbon market mechanisms. Understanding and navigating this evolving context is essential for all market actors.    Gold Standard has launched a new Carbon Markets Regulations Tracker to support this, which includes information and links to regulations in over 30 jurisdictions globally. The tracker, developed by South Pole, aims to increase visibility on regulations for project developers, governments, and other market actors, enabling compliance, informing decision-making, and identifying trends and best practices.     In this webinar, we will present the Regulations Tracker and hear reflections and experiences from our partners on key trends in national regulations, their implications for different market actors, and new developments to look out for.    Moderator:  • Hugh Salway, Senior Director, Market Development and Partnerships, Gold Standard    Presenter:  • Daniel Sachadonig, Consultant, Climate Policy, Finance and Markets, South Pole    Panellists:  • Kavya Bajaj, Government Relations Manager, Gold Standard  • Karolien Casaer-Diez, Global Senior Director, Article 6, South Pole  • Greg Lydka Morris, Policy and Portfolio Manager, Abatable    ️📆 Date: Wednesday, 17 July  🕘 Time: 10:00 - 11:00 CEST  🔗 Register here: https://lnkd.in/ghy42vmX

A big thank you to everyone who joined us at London Climate Action Week last week. We hosted three events last Tuesday, and it was great to engage with so many passionate climate leaders and practitioners.   1. Roundtable: Developments in Carbon Markets • Hosted by Hugh Salway, Senior Director, Market Development and Partnerships at Gold Standard. We shared updates on our work in carbon markets and exchanged insights on the latest global trends. 2. High Integrity Climate Action • Led by Owen Hewlett, Chief Technical Officer, and Dan Magrath, Corporate Responsibility Manager here at Gold Standard. We discussed the challenges and solutions for corporate decarbonisation, building on our latest framework for organisational climate mitigation strategies. 3. Integrity for Impact: Gold Standard LCAW Stakeholder Reception • An evening reception where we connected with climate leaders across the value chain to discuss scaling up climate action with integrity and previewed our new organisational strategy.   Special thanks to delegates who attended from:   • AECOM • AlliedOffsets • ALLCOT IO • Carbonplace • Climate Impact Partners • Climate Impact X • CO2balance • Clean Cooking Alliance (CCA) • Carbon Trade eXchange (CTX) • ecosecurities • International Chamber of Commerce • ISEAL • Macquarie Bank • Milkywire • Ørsted • Palladium: Make It Possible • Patch • S&P Global • ShareAction • Standard Chartered • The Future Forests Fund   We look forward to continuing our work together to advance climate action.   🔗 To stay updated on future Gold Standard Events - sign up to our newsletter here: https://lnkd.in/eEHtvp8q   #ClimateAction #Sustainability #NetZero #GoldStandard #LCAW2024 #LCAW

🌍 Two Gold Standard-certified projects developed by BURN have been selected by Abatable for their partnership with the Paris 2024 - Comité d'organisation des Jeux Olympiques et Paralympiques de 2024 🌍    Paris 2024 is committed to reducing event-related CO2 emissions by 50% and supporting impactful climate action projects. Paris 2024’s approach focuses on significant climate action and benefits for local populations and biodiversity.  The projects deliver climate benefits through the provision of clean cookstoves in Kenya and Nigeria. They reduce the reliance on charcoal or firewood and lower indoor air pollution, delivering reduced emissions for the planet, and better health and more free time for individuals.    For those emissions that it cannot avoid, the Paris 2024 Organizing Committee has chosen to finance projects that will help combat global warming using a “contribution” model. We are honoured to contribute to Paris 2024’s vision for a sustainable future and support their efforts to combat the climate crisis.    🔗 Learn more about the Paris 2024 Games Commitment to climate action here: https://lnkd.in/eas_Bq_n    #ClimateAction #Sustainability #Paris2024 #Olympics #GoldStandard #CleanCooking #EnvironmentalImpact

🌍 Gold Standard Releases Second Iteration of Climate Framework 🌍 Gold Standard has released the second iteration of its pioneering climate framework, designed to guide organisations in making substantial contributions to global climate efforts. This revised version addresses new challenges and incorporates feedback to support businesses navigating the complexities of climate strategy. Key Highlights: • Organisational Climate Strategies: A comprehensive guide consolidating principles and criteria for credible climate action. • Guidelines for Credible Claims: Detailed discussions and practical steps for implementing the framework. Margaret Kim, CEO of Gold Standard, stated: “Our updated framework aims to provide a clear and comprehensive guide for becoming a positive and fair contributor on our journey to global net zero.” 🔗 Read the full report here: https://lnkd.in/eDbyYzB5 Webinar Invite 🖥️: On 25 July, join Gold Standard experts for a webinar to discuss how companies can do the right thing for our planet: https://lnkd.in/eWR42yjK #ClimateAction #NetZero #Sustainability #GoldStandard

Any climate action ambitious enough to make a difference will have the potential to fall short. So, what should companies do when they realise they won’t meet their targets? In the final blog in our series on corporate climate responsibility, we discuss the importance of taking responsibility for unabated emissions and embracing radical honesty about environmental impact. How can companies navigate these challenges and contribute effectively to global net zero? Find out in our latest blog: 👉 https://lnkd.in/e6-nsN-p