Water has been repeatedly named by the World Economic Forum as the single biggest global risk. These threats are only exacerbated by increasing temperatures and changing weather patterns. Water Benefit Certificates represent quantified and certified impacts to securing access to clean water – the most fundamental human need.
THE GOLD STANDARD DIFFERENCE
The Water Benefit Standard launched in 2014, was the first globally consistent standard that certified the positive socio-economic impacts of water projects. The principles and safeguards from this innovative Standard have now been embedded into our broader framework, Gold Standard for the Global Goals. This ensures that any project that may have implications on water quality or access, actively manages any risks.
Developers may choose to issue Water Benefit Certificates, which represent quantified and certified impacts to securing access to water, to attract funding to their projects from companies, governments or other institutions looking for verified contributions to water security.
Each certified water project must deliver impact toward at least three Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and demonstrate a clear financial need for additional finance from selling Water Benefit Certificates. By purchasing these water certificates organisations committed to water stewardship can directly contribute to high-impact projects around the world that would not have otherwise happened. The standard was developed with support from First Climate and in association with the Water Benefit Partners Programme.
The standard was developed with support from First Climate and in association with the Water Benefit Partners Programme.
