Carbon Offset Standards

The Voluntary Carbon Market Standards

The following is a list of the most commonly used international standards, used in the Offset Market.

VGS

Voluntary Gold Standard

Launched in May 2006 by WWF-UK (a nonprofit foundation)

It is a simplified version of the CDM Gold Standard, using the basic methodologies of the CDM Gold standard

Only available for projects in developing countries

They are focused on renewable energy and energy efficient projects with strong sustainable development benefits.

VCS

Voluntary Carbon Standard

This standard was developed by the Climate Group and International Emissions Trading Association (IETA).

It provides real, quantifiable, additional and permanent projects based emission reductions.

It has also created a registry to register, transfer and retire Voluntary Carbon Units (VCUs).

VOS

Voluntary Offset Standard

Launched on the 28th June 2007 it is the latest voluntary standard to be released. It is based on the existing standards promoted by the UNFCCC. It brings the voluntary market up to the level of the regulated and standardized procedures of the (Kyoto) compliance market. VOS endorses the existing gold standard methodology. It meets and at some points exceeds CDM and JI standard.

Climate, Community and Biodiversity Standards (CBB)

This standard has been developed by the Climate Community and Biodiversity Alliance.

It is for land based projects that can simultaneously deliver compelling climate biodiversity and community benefits.

It uses methodologies of the intergovernmental panel on climate change good practice guidance (IPCC GPG) but can also use approved CDM methodologies for calculating carbon reductions/savings.

Green-e

The Green-e logo is US based nationally recognized standard.

It is the nation’s leading independent certification and verification program for renewable energy and companies that use renewable energy.