The Gold Standard is essentially a set of tools ('Screens') that guide project proponents through the project development process.

To comply with the Gold Standard, some information going beyond the standard requirements for CDM or voluntary offset projects must be provided in the project design document (PDD).

This information is checked by an independent, UNFCCC-accredited organisation, the so-called Designated Operational Entity (DOE) - in the case of a CDM project this can happen as part of the conventional validation required. Successful validation leads then to registration to the Gold Standard.

To maintain the project's registration and to earn Gold Standard-certified credits, project proponents monitor emission reductions and sustainable development impacts. The monitoring reports are again checked by DOEs, to make sure the benefits expected are realised.

For CDM projects, the Gold Standard links the serial numbers of credits issued by the Executive Board with its own database of projects. For voluntary offset projects, the Gold Standard is currently developing registry procedures to make sure no credit is sold multiple times and credits are actually backed by real emission reductions.

For a description of the differences between the Gold Standard for CDM/JI and the Gold Standard for Voluntary Offsets, click here

More detailed information on the various steps can be found in the following sections or in the Project Developer Manuals (>>Downloads).

For information specific for project developers, a useful "Que es Gold Standard" is available on the Cordelim site (Spanish and English). An illustration of the Project Cycle for CERs and VERs is also available in Spanish and English