Gold Standard, a leading carbon registry, has launched a two-year pilot to trial its new certification standards for nature-based solutions (NbS). This pilot will evaluate draft requirements designed to ensure projects align with sustainability and environmental goals in practical, real-world applications.
An agronomist conducting routine project oversight. AI generated image.
Limited to six projects, the pilot aims to identify if these NbS standards can be effectively implemented on the ground, addressing both practical challenges and alignment with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 13, 14, and 15. Gold Standard is accepting applications for the pilot until 21 November, providing eligible projects the chance to test these criteria and offer feedback.
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The certification requirements are crafted to recognise projects that adopt collaborative approaches while addressing significant societal and environmental challenges. Successful projects will have the opportunity to apply for the NbS label, highlighting their alignment with Gold Standard’s high standards for Verified Emission Reductions or Impact Statements.
This phase is crucial for gathering insights to refine the certification standards, which will undergo further review before formal approval under the Gold Standard for the Global Goals (GS4GG). Gold Standard emphasises that the feedback from this pilot will help shape guidelines that ensure meaningful, measurable impacts for NbS.
By involving project developers and stakeholders, Gold Standard hopes to uncover potential challenges in applying the NbS standards, ultimately strengthening the certification process and supporting projects that make genuine environmental and social contributions.
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Building a sustainable future requires joint efforts from businesses, governments, and individuals alike. Partnerships with organisations like DGB Group play a pivotal role in achieving these goals.
DGB’s nature-focused initiatives—including reforestation, afforestation, and energy efficiency projects—provide companies with practical pathways to compensate for their carbon emissions while restoring ecosystems and uplifting local communities. Each project adheres to rigorous environmental and social standards, producing high-integrity carbon units and ensuring that every investment leads to tangible, measurable, and enduring positive impacts.
