Supporting the Transition to a Nationally Regulated Carbon Market

Gold Standard started a new programme of work in November 2023 in response to a growth of national regulation and national engagement in carbon market activities, and to maximise the benefits of this transition for local communities, governments, and project developers. This new programme builds on Gold Standard’s previous and ongoing partnerships and support for governments across the world, including capacity development activities in countries across Africa, Asia and Latin America, as well as its Article 6 Early Movers Programme from 2022-23, also supported by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action (BMWK).

The programme will include the following activities:

• The development and piloting of a new framework to enable labelling and alignment between national crediting programmes and Gold Standard, intended to allow governments to draw and build on Gold Standard’s twenty years of experience in standard-setting, while providing flexibility for project developers.
• Technical assistance, guidance and information-sharing on the introduction of new market regulations globally, with solutions for project developers, governments and other actors.
• Capacity development assistance in at least two countries to foster the development of skills and expertise amongst a new generation of market experts.

Carbon Market Regulations Tracker

The Carbon Market Regulations Tracker is developed to enhance the understanding and transparency of carbon market regulations, and support governments, project developers, investors, and other market participants in navigating the evolving regulatory landscape.

The tracker serves as a central information hub, offering standardised summaries and direct links to relevant regulations concerning baseline-and-crediting market activities, within voluntary carbon markets and those under Article 6 of the Paris Agreement. It includes both implemented and planned or consulted regulations but does not include carbon tax policies or emissions trading systems unless they involve carbon credits. The tracker is hosted on the Gold Standard website and will be regularly maintained to ensure it remains a relevant tool for fostering market certainty and facilitating knowledge sharing among key market stakeholders across jurisdictions.