The Gold Standard is the world’s highest quality standard for carbon emission reduction projects with added sustainable development benefits and guaranteed environmental integrity. The Gold Standard label certifies projects under the Clean Development Mechanism and Joint Implementation as well as for the voluntary offset market. Gold Standard projects employ renewable energy or energy efficiency technologies and actively seek local participation in project design, resulting in demonstrable sustainable development benefits.
The Gold Standard is officially endorsed by 42 non-governmental organizations, including WWF and Greenpeace. Gold Standard projects generate premium prices in the market and developers profit from a fair priced niche market with substantial demand currently developing. Buyers of Gold Standard credits can reduce CDM-specific and reputational risks. First Climate is the main sponsor of the Gold Standard Version 2.