Going Carbon Neutral

Ensuring Quality: The Gold Standard (5/7)

The Gold Standard, an international standard for carbon emission reductions, ensures that offset investments pay off for the environment, too. Created in 2003 by a group of NGOs – including WWF, SouthSouthNorth, and Helio International – the Gold Standard is a non-profit foundation.

The Gold Standard is only awarded to renewable energy and energy efficiency offset projects that would not have happened without carbon offsetting investments. Projects can only take place in countries that do not have to reduce emissions under the Kyoto Protocol. (Photo: Reuters)