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    EcoHedge
    Certifications

    What is Gold Standard?

    A certification standard for carbon offset projects that ensures they deliver verified climate and sustainable development benefits. Gold Standard projects must demonstrate additionality and stakeholder consultation.

    Why it matters

    Gold Standard is considered one of the highest-quality offset certifications. It requires projects to demonstrate co-benefits for local communities, making it the preferred choice for businesses that want their offset investments to deliver social as well as climate value.

    Example

    A law firm offsets its residual business travel emissions by purchasing 30 Gold Standard credits from a clean water project in Rwanda, which reduces the need for wood-fired water boiling in rural communities.

    Related terms

    Carbon Offsets

    Credits purchased to compensate for emissions by funding projects that reduce, avoid, or remove greenhouse gases elsewhere. Examples include reforestation, renewable energy projects, and methane capture. One offset typically equals one tonne of CO₂e.

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