Standard Owner Benchmark - GOLD STANDARD

Gold Standard is a non-profit organization that manages best practice standards for climate and sustainable development interventions. It was established in 2003 by WWF and other international NGOs with the aim of ensuring that projects focused on reducing carbon emissions maintain the highest levels of environmental integrity while also contributing to sustainable development.

In response to the adoption of the Paris Climate Agreement and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), Gold Standard launched the Gold Standard for the Global Goals. This best practice standard is designed to maximize the impact of climate and sustainable development interventions, creating value for people worldwide and promoting the well-being of the planet.

Gold Standard operates based on the principle that climate action should not be limited to reducing emissions alone. They believe that climate projects should deliver meaningful sustainable development benefits that go beyond emission reductions. By incorporating social, economic, and environmental aspects, Gold Standard projects aim to address multiple dimensions of sustainability.

The organization's approach has had a significant influence on the United Nations' Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) and other voluntary standards, pushing them to raise the bar and include sustainable development elements in their climate projects. This collaborative effort helps drive more ambitious climate action in alignment with the Global Goals.

Gold Standard's mission is to catalyze and inspire increased climate action by promoting projects that not only mitigate climate change but also contribute to sustainable development. By setting rigorous standards and ensuring projects deliver positive outcomes across a range of dimensions, Gold Standard aims to contribute to a more sustainable and resilient future.