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CONSULTATION
BIOMASS FERMENTATION METHODOLOGY WITH CARBON CAPTURE AND GEOLOGIC STORAGE
First Gold Standard carbon dioxide removal methodology with geological storage open for consultation
While reducing emission reductions is necessary, it may not be enough to achieve net-zero emissions on its own. Carbon dioxide removal (CDR) from nature based solutions, including afforestation/reforestation and technologies such as direct air capture may also be necessary.
This methodology is for projects that capture CO2 from the fermentation of renewable biomass (such as from the production of bioethanol and animal feed products), transporting the CO2 via pipeline, and injecting it into secure underground formations.
Gold Standard is seeking views and comments on this new methodology until 09 June 2023.
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GOVERNANCE
WORK PLAN 2023
Overview of Gold Standard priorities and upcoming updates
The need to undertake climate action is growing ever more pressing. To support this shift and urgent need, we have made some important revisions to our standard development priorities. This document provides details of these changes as well as our plans to continue maximising market opportunities, mitigating risk, ensuring integrity, and delivering a clearer, more streamlined, and simpler application of our standard.
Summary of key updates includes:
- MARKET DRIVEN STANDARD DEVELOPMENT
Alignment with key emerging market policies, schemes, and requirements to maximise market opportunities for projects as well as mitigate the risk of inadvertently undermining government efforts.
- GOLD STANDARD FOR THE GLOBAL GOALS – REVIEW
Scheduled updates to conform with ISEAL Alliance’s code of best practice for “Setting Social and Environmental Standards” and to support project development with clearer and more streamlined standard documents, tools and templates.
- METHODOLOGY AND MITIGATION OPTIONS
Gold Standard has ‘in principle approval’ for new products, scopes, technologies and/or activities to better support the market and the users of our standard. This methodology and mitigation section of the work plan lists some of these priorities.
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NEW ASSURANCE DOCUMENT
VALIDATION AND VERIFICATION STANDARD
A new standard to improve consistency and quality of validation and verification processes for Gold Standard projects
Third-party validation and verification provides independent assurance that reported emission reductions and SDG impacts are real and genuine. A new standard document for validation and verification bodies has been created to support more efficient, consistent, and timely project assessments.
Benefits for project developers include:
- More clarity on the assessment procedure followed by the VVB
- Further context of the requirements against which a finding is raised
- Clarity on what to expect during the different stages of the certification cycle (e.g., desk review, site visit, design certification renewal etc.)
- A more transparent auditing process for project developers
- A reduction in subjectivity
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UPDATED REQUIREMENT
GENDER EQUALITY REQUIREMENTS & GUIDELINES
Requirements updated to credibly quantify, maximise, and verify contributions to gender equality (SDG5) in a more pragmatic and practical way
Empowering women and girls is one of the most effective ways to fight climate change and closing gender gaps will accelerate progress towards many other Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
The gender requirements and guidelines have been revised to include further reference sources, and simplified to provide a more streamlined and pragmatic approach to the quantification of gender impacts under SDG5.
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If you have a project or programme that strongly supports SDG5 and would like to better differentiate these benefits, please contact Claire Willers for more information on piloting these new requirements.
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UPDATED TEMPLATES
UPDATED TEMPLATES FOR DESIGN CHANGE REQUIREMENTS
Updated process to streamline and reduce documentary burden when formally requesting approval of material and permanent changes in a project design
To streamline the process of design change submissions and reduce the amount of documentation that needs to be submitted, the Design Change Memo Template has been integrated into the Design Documentation Templates (i.e. PDD/PoADD/VPADD) as an annex. Going forward, when submitting a formal request for a design change, project developers can add all the information directly into the relevant design document.
This update was implemented on 14 April 2023 and any new design change activity or new validation activity starting on or after 13 July 2023 shall use the latest design documentation template.
Use of the new format before 13 July 2023 is permissible and encouraged.
Design Document Templates updated to include Design Change Memo as a new annex:
The Design Change Memo will be withdrawn from use on 13 July 2023.
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UPDATE TOOL
SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOAL IMPACT TOOL
A tool to monitor, quantify, and verify a project’s contributions to the SDGs more efficiently
The Gold Standard SDG Impact Tool has been updated to include additional monitoring indicators for community service activities and waste sector projects. Work to further automate and digitise the tool to deliver enhanced impact reporting capabilities - including a compelling way to visualise impacts - is underway, with the launch of the digital version of the tool expected in Q3 2023.
Quarterly updates have also been made to the eligible methodology tool and the ER calculation tool for the cookstove methodology (TPDDTEC) to ensure they are up-to-date with the most recent information.
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RULE CLARIFICATION
USE OF REFUSE DERIVED FUELS (RDFs)
Landfilling and dumping of waste is practiced extensively in many regions of the world and causes significant environmental concerns. This rule clarification is based on best practice experiences and lessons learnt to ensure Gold Standard rules can facilitate the ongoing, sustainable adoption of RDF.
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FEE SCHEDULE
GOLD STANDARD FEE SCHEDULE
The Gold Standard Fee Schedule has been reformatted to provide the fees by certification stage for different project streams, types and scales. The aim is to provide a clearer picture of which fees are to be applied, at which stage in the process, for the main project scenarios. No fees have been changed in this update.
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UPCOMING TECHNICAL UPDATES
New Methodology Releases
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Expected release week of 15 May
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Methodology for collection of Sargassum and other macroalgae to avoid emissions from decomposition and to use for beneficial products.
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Expected release week of 12 June
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Methodology for methane emission reduction by adjusted water management practice in rice cultivation.
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Expected release in late June
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Reducing Methane Emissions from Enteric Fermentation in Beef Cattle through Application of Feed Supplements
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Expected release week of 22 May
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Updated Methodology: Methodology – development, revisions, and clarification procedure
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Expected release week of 22 May
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TORs – Methodology Working Group
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Rule Update/Clarification
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Expected release week of 29 May
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Remote Audit Approach for PoAs
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Expected release week of 29 May
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Certification renewal requirements projects transitional from the CDM
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Principles and Requirements
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Expected release week of 29 May
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Safeguarding principles and requirements updates
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NEWS
TWO NEW VVB ORGANISATIONS APPROVED
TO AUDIT GOLD STANDARD PROJECTS
Gold Standard are delighted to welcome two new members to their group of eligible Validation and Verification Bodies.
Ampere For Renewable Energy - Based in Jordan, is the first Gold Standard VVB located in the Middle East and North Africa region. Focusing especially on energy, waste management, and transport projects.
Ruby Canyon Environmental - The first Gold Standard VVB based in the Americas (USA and Mexico). Focusing on agriculture and land use, they have experts across all GS4GG project types.
Project developers are now welcome to engage these two organisations for their GS4GG audits, providing additional options to source competent VVBs with local expertise. Gold Standard will continue these efforts of expansion.
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GOLD STANDARD EVENT
GROW TO ZERO
GOLD STANDARD CONFERENCE 2023
London, UK
26-27 June 2023
The Grow to Zero conference will take place during London Climate Action Week, in the heart of the city at Kings Place.
The two-day event is designed to inform and engage a wide range of participants including project developers, fund managers and impact investors, government representatives and corporate sustainability professionals. With a variety of session formats including panels, workshops, breakouts, and many networking opportunities, it is bound to create important connections and instigate growth towards net-zero.
Discounts are offered for NGOs and organisations in LDCs. Please see the ticketing platform for related codes.
Sponsorship opportunities are available for organisations looking to support Gold Standard and wanting to avail of a unique visibility opportunity. We are also looking for keynote speakers and panelists to join our discussions. If you are interested in either, please send us an email.
Visit the Grow to Zero event website for further details and to purchase tickets.
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EVENT
GREENFIN 2023
Boston, USA
26-28 June 2023
Join the growing community of finance, investment and sustainability leaders supporting the just transition to a decarbonised economy at GreenFin 23 (June 26-28, Boston). By attending, you’ll gain access to inspiring keynotes, engaging breakout sessions and valuable networking.
Apply the discount code GF23GOLD to get 10% discount when you register.
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