UN’s Gold Standard Publishes Engineered Carbon Removal Guidelines to Accelerate High-Integrity Projects

Key Impact Points:

• Gold Standard releases new framework to certify engineered carbon dioxide removal (CDR) projects
• Updated methodologies expand eligible technologies and align with global carbon market standards
• Every project must deliver on at least three SDGs, with a new Just Transition framework in development

UN’s Gold Standard Publishes Engineered Carbon Removal Guidelines to Accelerate High-Integrity Projects

Gold Standard has released its Engineered Removals Activity Requirements, a comprehensive framework to guide high-integrity engineered carbon dioxide removal (CDR) projects toward certification. The publication marks a major expansion of the NGO’s efforts to bring scientific rigor and sustainable development to the fast-growing engineered CDR space.

“Engineered removals are essential to achieving a 1.5 °C pathway. We have certified biological CDR solutions for two decades; now we are applying that same integrity and collaborative approach to engineered CDR,” said Margaret Kim, CEO of Gold Standard. “We invite developers to use these requirements and work with us to build new methodologies and deliver durable projects that benefit local communities.”

Strengthening Carbon Market Integrity

The framework defines core requirements for projects aiming for Gold Standard certification, including:

• Reversal risk mitigation
• Mandatory buffer contributions
• Sustainable development safeguards

These align with major international efforts like the EU Carbon Removal Certification Framework, ICAO CORSIA, Paris Agreement Article 6.4, and evolving national regulations.

“As companies move towards net zero, best practice frameworks are increasingly recognising that carbon removals must complement emissions reductions,” said Dr Fiona Perera, Manager, Methodology Development & Innovations at Gold Standard. “Accurate measurement and the responsible use of removal credits are essential to uphold integrity in this rapidly growing sector.”

New and Updated Methodologies

Gold Standard also announced updates and progress across its engineered CDR methodologies:

• Carbon Mineralisation using Reactive Mineral Waste (with Neustark): Broader baseline settings and mineral waste scope
• Biomass Fermentation with Carbon Capture and Geologic Storage (with Summit Carbon): Enhanced leakage options and wider eligibility for CO₂ sources, including BECCS

Both methodologies (Version 2, June 2025) are under review by the Integrity Council for the Voluntary Carbon Market for alignment with the Core Carbon Principles. A new biochar methodology covering artisan to industrial-scale production is in development.

Related Content: Gold Standard CEO Margaret Kim Champions Credible Impact for SDGs and Paris Goals

Commitment to Sustainable Development

In line with Gold Standard principles, all engineered CDR projects must contribute to at least three Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The organization is also developing a Just and Sustainable Transitions Framework to ensure economic, environmental, and social benefits reach local communities.

Developers are encouraged to co-create next-generation methodologies by submitting a concept note to Gold Standard.

👉 Read the Engineered Removals Activity Requirements here.