To continue improving both the clarity and flexibility of Gold Standard for the Global Goals (GS4GG), especially in light of the disruptions to project activities caused by the global pandemic, Gold Standard has made some updates to support project developers when making temporary deviations or permanent design changes to projects. 

Additionally, we have updated the Requirements for Validation/Verification Bodies (VVBs) to bring more clarity and structure to VVBs auditing Gold Standard project activities. We have created a new transition template to simplify submissions by projects registered with other standards and seeking transition to GS4GG. Finally, we have revised the Renewable Energy Activity Requirements to introduce simplified eligibility conditions for certain renewable energy project activity types. 

TECHNICAL UPDATES TO GOLD STANDARD FOR THE GLOBAL GOALS

• DEVIATION APPROVAL REQUIREMENTS AND PROCEDURES

  SUMMARY: This document outlines key principles, requirements and approval procedures for projects seeking a temporary deviation from the Gold Standard for the Global Goals Requirements and SDG Impact Quantification Methodologies. 

  UPDATE + BENEFITS: The document has been updated to introduce more clarity on the requirements and the submission process for deviation requests, including clearer distinctions on what constitutes a temporary change/deviation, the applicable submission pathways, the relevant procedures and documents required, and how these requests will be processed/approved. 

• DEVIATION REQUEST TEMPLATE
  This template for project developers and/or VVBs is designed to simply and easily provide the background information for deviation requests, including a summary of the temporary changes, the potential impacts of these changes and any supporting documentation. 
• DEVIATIONS ONLINE
  In accordance to the ISEAL requirements for Standards, deviations will be made publicly available on the Gold Standard website. This deviation page clearly indicates which deviation constitutes a precedent and can be adopted by other projects as long as the associated conditions listed in the deviation approval form are met. 

• DESIGN CHANGE APPROVAL PROCEDURE

  SUMMARY: This document provides the requirements and approval procedures for projects seeking permanent changes to the implementation, operation or monitoring of a certified project activity. 

  UPDATE + BENEFITS: This new document replaces Annex A in the Principles and Requirements and provides more clarity on what constitutes a permanent change and requires design change approval, the types of permanent changes allowed, the applicable pathway for submitting these changes, the documents required and how the requests will be processed/approved. 

• VALIDATION/VERIFICATION BODY (VVB) REQUIREMENTS

  SUMMARY: These requirements for organisations and/or individuals auditing Gold Standard project activities include information on the certification guiding principles, decision-making processes, VVB eligibility and approval process, and the validation + verification process and requirements. 

  UPDATE + BENEFITS: This update further aligns our standard to the ISEAL Assurance Code Requirements. It also delineates the VVB approval and reapproval procedure and requirements, introducing more clarity and simplifications for VVBs auditing Gold Standard projects. These updates help VVBs clearly understand what is required to maintain their VVB status.

• GOLD STANDARD APPLICATION FORM FOR THE APPROVAL OF VALIDATION/VERIFICATION BODIES (VVBs)
  This template enables VVBs to simply and easily submit an application to become an auditor for Gold Standard project activities. 

• TRANSITION TEMPLATE
  AVAILABLE FROM WEEK COMMENCING 25 JAN 2021

  SUMMARY: A template for project developers to submit information pertaining to projects that are registered with other standards and seeking a transition to Gold Standard for the Global Goals in line with the Rule Update “Requirements for projects to transition from other schemes to Gold Standard for the Global Goals” released in October, 2020. This rule update was developed to support our commitment to environmental integrity and channeling carbon finance where it has its greatest impact and may support those CDM projects that face the risk of discontinuation post-2020. 

  UPDATE + BENEFITS: This new template allows projects to submit information to demonstrate potential compliance with the Gold Standard transition requirements without the need to design their project documentation (e.g. PDD) over again. 

• CREDITING PERIOD OF POAs FOLLOWING GS4GG TRANSITION

  CLARIFICATION: Transitioning Programme of Activities (PoAs) are allowed to retain their 7 year crediting period at the time of transition to Gold Standard for the Global Goals, however, subsequent PoA crediting period renewals shall follow the GS4GG certification cycle, i.e. 5 year cycle. 

• RENEWABLE ENERGY ACTIVITY REQUIREMENTS

  SUMMARY: These requirements for renewable energy activities seeking certification under Gold Standard include relevant eligibility criteria and other requirements in line with Gold Standard principles. 

  UPDATE + BENEFITS: These updates introduce simplified eligibility conditions for certain renewable energy project activity types and provide project developers with more clarity on the demonstration of additionality for microscale renewable energy projects. 
   

• Recent rule updates and clarifications
• New GS4GG templates
• Safe water supply project caps and requirements
• VVB requirements update (VVB webinar only)

SEEKING FEEDBACK ON PROPOSED UPDATES FOR ANNEX 3 OF TPDDTEC METHODOLOGY 

Technologies and Practices to Displace Decentralized Thermal Energy Consumption (TPDDTEC) –  Annex 3: Application of the methodology to Safe Water Supply projects for public inputs

Gold Standard is updating the Safe Water Supply Annex to the TPDDTEC methodology to introduce simplification and reduce monitoring requirements and transaction costs for project developers yet maintain the highest level of rigour and robustness associated with Gold Standard, enabling carbon finance to continue to support the delivery of safe water to vulnerable communities with the highest levels of integrity. The update is also intended to reflect the latest developments/advancements made in the distributed energy sector. 
 
Key updates have been made to the scope expansion, methodology applicability, clarity on requirements, safeguards, emission reduction calculation, and field studies and monitoring requirements. You can view the list of these updates and the changes proposed in the online consultation.
 
We now seek stakeholder feedback on these proposed updates. 

HOW TO SUBMIT YOUR FEEDBACK
 
Stakeholders are requested to provide their feedback directly into the draft methodology document with specific attention to the following:        

1. The changes made to the methodology as highlighted in the consultation page
2. The current draft includes options in certain sections, indicated by text in square brackets ‘[ ]’). Gold Standard invites stakeholders to provide input on these options. The input provided for preferred options are requested to be accompanied with justification/rationale. 

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