Environmental Commodities Glossary

Gold Standard’s Carbon Credit Project Type Guide

Afforestation and Reforestation (A/R)

These projects involve planting trees or restoring forests to remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and enhance carbon sequestration.

Biogas

Biogas projects capture and utilize methane emissions from organic waste, such as agricultural residues or wastewater, for clean energy production.

CSA (Climate-Smart Agriculture)

CSA projects promote sustainable agricultural practices that mitigate climate change impacts and enhance resilience while reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

Energy Efficiency

These projects aim to reduce energy consumption and emissions by improving the efficiency of buildings, industrial processes, or appliances.

Liquid Biofuel

Similar to biomass projects, liquid biofuel projects involve the production and use of biofuels like biodiesel and ethanol for transportation and energy needs.

PV (Photovoltaic Solar)

Photovoltaic solar projects generate electricity by converting sunlight into electrical energy using solar panels.

Solar Thermal

Solar thermal projects use sunlight to produce heat for various applications, such as space heating or industrial processes.

Biomass, or Liquid Biofuel

These projects utilize organic materials like wood, crop residues, or biofuels to generate energy while reducing carbon emissions.

Clean Water Access

Projects focused on providing communities with access to clean and safe drinking water sources, which can indirectly contribute to emissions reductions by reducing the need for energy-intensive water treatment.

Geothermal

Geothermal projects harness heat from the Earth's interior to generate electricity or provide heating and cooling, offering a low-carbon energy source.

Other

This category likely includes projects that do not fit into the specific categories listed but still contribute to emissions reductions or sustainable development in some way.

Hydro

Hydro projects generate electricity from flowing water, typically through the use of dams or hydroelectric power plants.

Wind

Wind energy projects harness the kinetic energy of wind to generate electricity through wind turbines.

WASH (Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene)

WASH projects focus on improving access to clean water, sanitation facilities, and hygiene practices to enhance public health and well-being, indirectly impacting emissions through improved living conditions.