Engineered Removal Projects

These FAQs refer to the Gold Standard Engineered Removal Activity Requirements

SECTIONS

• Eligibility & Requirements
• Durability & Reversal
• MRV
• Project Certification
• Methodology Development
• Markets

Eligibility & Requirements

Which methodologies are available to be implemented under the Engineered CDR Activity Requirements?

At present, Gold Standard has two available methodologies under the Engineered CDR scope:

• METHODOLOGY FOR BIOMASS FERMENTATION WITH CARBON CAPTURE AND GEOLOGIC STORAGE
• CARBON MINERALISATION USING REACTIVE MINERAL WASTE 

The publication of the Engineered Removal Activity Requirements provides clarity on the eligible activities under Gold Standard and paves the way for further methodology development.

There are several other methodologies in our development pipeline including methodologies for Direct Air Capture (DAC), biochar and algal CO2 uptake. The Methodologies Under Development page lists methodologies that are currently in the development pipeline with Gold Standard.  

What is the length of crediting period for Engineered CDR projects?

Engineered CDR projects shall adopt a maximum crediting period of 45 years, unless stated otherwise in the applied methodology. The activity shall follow a 5-year certification cycle for renewal of the crediting period, unless stated otherwise in the applied methodology.

Will existing methodologies require revision to comply with the new Activity Requirements?

Existing methodologies are fully aligned with the new Activity Requirements and do not require revision. Projects applying these methodologies shall adopt the requirements in line with scenarios below.

How can existing engineered CDR projects apply the new Activity Requirements?

Design Certified Projects

Projects registered under Gold Standard for the Global Goals (Design Certified) prior to the release date of the Engineered Removal Activity Requirements can continue with their registered project design until Design Certification Renewal. During renewal, project developers shall apply the Engineered CDR Activity Requirements.

Listed Projects

Listed projects are not required to apply the new activity requirements before Design Review; however, project developers may choose to apply them voluntarily.

I’m interested in developing an activity that is listed as eligible in the Activity Requirements, what next?

The first stage of project planning is to assess the concept against the Activity Requirements and identify an applicable methodology.

To identify an applicable methodology for your project, you can view all methodologies that are eligible for Gold Standard certification in our eligible methodology tool. Each methodology contains applicability conditions, which must be met for the project to be eligible. 

If none of the existing methodologies apply and you are interested in developing a new methodology or revising an existing one, the Impact Quantification Methodology Approval Procedure will provide next steps on how to submit a methodology concept note to Gold Standard for review.

To learn more about the project planning phase, please refer to our Certification Guide.

If the activity in consideration is not included in the eligible list of the Activity Requirements, what should I do?

The list of eligible activity types may be amended or extended in the future based on the latest scientific understanding. 

If you have an activity, which is aligned with our Principles & Requirements, and you believe should be eligible under the engineered CDR scope of GS4GG, you may email the Gold Standard Secretariat at standards@goldstabdard.org. 

Does Gold Standard provide guidance on biomass sourcing or feedstock sustainability?

Requirements for biomass sourcing and feedstock sustainability will be defined at the methodology level. For example, in the Methodology for Biomass Fermentation with Carbon Capture and Geologic Storage, parameter 42 outlines two options to demonstrate the renewability of biomass. 

Gold Standard is also in the process of developing a high-level methodological tool for the sustainable sourcing of different types of biomass.

Should other revenue streams, such as regulatory incentives (e.g. US45Q/Z) be considered in the assessment of additionality?

All revenue streams shall be considered when assessing additionality. Project developers shall follow one of the additionality tools outlined in the applied Methodology, or GHG Emission Reduction & Sequestration Product Requirements.

New methodologies shall be developed in line with the Requirements For Additionality Demonstration.

I have already conducted stakeholder meetings for regulatory approvals, is this enough to satisfy Gold Standard’s Stakeholder Engagement Requirements?

Stakeholder engagement is a core requirement for Gold Standard certification, and whilst there may be overlap with existing stakeholder meetings, project developers shall still demonstrate compliance with the Stakeholder Engagement Requirements.

What are the requirements for retroactive project registration?

According to the Principles & Requirements, projects where the first round of Stakeholder Consultation takes place after the Project Start Date are considered retroactive. These projects must submit their documentation for preliminary review within one year from the Project Start Date.

The activity start date shall be the earliest date on which the activity developer has committed to expenditures related to the implementation of the activity. This excludes expenditures relating to research and development (R&D), proof-of-concept studies, pilot studies, and commercial design work. 

Durability & Reversal

How does Gold Standard define durability and what are the minimum requirements?

Durability is the timeframe for which carbon is likely to remain stored. The durability timeframe for engineered CDR activities typically ranges from centuries to millennia, and can be established for specific technology types. The durability timeframe shall therefore be defined at a methodology or project level.

Gold Standard will shortly be publishing a position on CDR within corporate targets, which will further clarify use cases, durability for different use cases and other considerations around how CDR fits into credible corporate climate strategies.

Will Gold Standard align durability requirements with market expectations (ICVCM, A6.4, EU CRCF etc.)?

The durability of different technologies / activity types will be defined at the methodology and/or project level.

Gold Standard is working with the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) to clearly define appropriate use cases for different levels of durability, recognising that all play a vital role in achieving net zero. 

Which tools are available to help project developers assess reversal risk?

Tool 04: Reversal Risk Calculations for Geological Storage shall be used for project developers to calculate a risk score which corresponds to the project's required buffer contribution (%).

How can project developers mitigate reversal risk?

In addition to Gold Standard’s Safeguarding Principles & Requirements, project developers shall implement scientifically established risk mitigation strategies that are appropriate to the CDR technology and storage method. 

Projects shall also contribute to the buffer pool to address potential reversals. The percentage of credits that shall be contributed to the buffer pool is proportional to the risk profile of the activity.

What are some examples of unavoidable and avoidable reversals?

An unavoidable reversals (force majeure) are caused by factors over which the activity developer has no influence or control. Such events may include, but are not limited to:

• An act of war (whether declared or not), invasion, revolution, insurrection, terrorism, or any other acts of a similar nature or force, that prevents travel to project site
• Natural disasters such as floods, earthquakes, etc.
• A change in Governmental requirements, policy, etc. that affect the project implementation and operation.
• A reversal caused by a shortage of personnel, industrial action, economic downfall, sickness of personnel, breach of contract by subcontractors and/or liquidity or solvency problems are not considered unavoidable (force majeure

An avoidable reversal is caused by factors over which the activity developer has influence or control (non-force majeure). E.g. insufficient plugging of a geological well.

Why do insured projects still need to contribute to the buffer pool, if it is not used to address a reversal event?

Insurance products shall be used to address reversal events within the crediting period of the project, however, when the crediting period ends, Gold Standard will use the buffer pool to account for reversals.

What is the expected range of buffer contributions for Engineered CDR projects?

Following Tool 04: Reversal Risk Calculations for Geological Storage, the buffer contribution will range from 2.5% to 8%. The contribution shall be outlined in each monitoring report and will be deducted from total issuance at each verification.

What happens if a reversal event occurs?

Project Developers shall follow the procedures outlined in section 5.13 and 5.14 of the Engineered Removal Activity Requirements:

MRV

Should projects consider the construction or manufacturing emissions associated with project implementation?

In line with section 5.5 of the Activity Requirements, a life cycle assessment (LCA), is mandatory for every engineered CDR project, unless an exemption is granted in the applied methodology. 

How can project developers account for uncertainty in removal calculations?

Accounting for uncertainty will be defined in the applicable methodology.

Can project developers deploy digital MRV solutions (dMRV)?

Project developers with listed projects are encouraged to submit their dMRV solutions to our dMRV pilot.

The objective of the Pilot is to assess and validate digital Measurement, Reporting, and Verification (dMRV) solutions in real-world GS4GG projects to enhance carbon credit issuance and certified impact.

Project Certification

What is required for the preliminary review of an Engineered CDR project?

The Preliminary Review considers whether a project has the potential to conform to the Gold Standard Requirements and may therefore progress to “listed” status. 

To reach this decision Gold Standard will review the draft documentation submitted. The Gold Standard may request clarifications and additional documentation if/where required.

Projects must: 

• Submit the Preliminary Review Request Form
• Submit a Stakeholder Consultation Report (draft)
• Submit signed GS4GG Cover Letter
• Submit signed Gold Standard Terms & Conditions
• Pay the fee for the Preliminary Review 

Documents are submitted by creating and submitting a request for ‘Preliminary Review’ within the Gold Standard Assurance Platform. 

Which VVBs are approved to validate/verify engineered CDR projects?

A list of approved VVBs can be found here. Please note that that VVBs should be accredited to scope 16: Carbon Capture & Storage. Accreditation scopes can be viewed by selecting a VVB from the approved list.

Are there additional fees for Engineered CDR Projects?

Gold Standard does not charge a premium for engineered CDR project certification.

Information about Gold Standard fees is available in our Fee Schedule.

Methodology Development

What is the process for developing a new methodology? 

The review and approval process involves two main stages: 

You can see the full process and indicative timelines on the Gold Standard Methodology Under Development page.

The Methodologies Under Development page lists methodologies that are currently in the development pipeline with Gold Standard.  

How does Gold Standard engage with the scientific community when developing new methodologies?

Gold Standard integrates scientific expertise at multiple stages of methodology development to ensure credibility, accuracy, and alignment with the latest climate science. This engagement includes:

• Use of Independent Experts: During the methodology review process, Gold Standard independent subject matter experts and a sectoral reviewer from its roster or external sources if required. These experts evaluate the methodology’s scientific robustness, accuracy of emission/removal quantification, and consistency with GHG accounting principles.
• Involvement of the Methodology Expert Group and TAC: Both the Methodology Expert Group (MEG) and the Technical Advisory Committee (TAC), which include members with relevant scientific and technical backgrounds, are responsible for conducting a thorough review and ensuring the scientific validity of the methodology.
• Public Stakeholder Consultation: All new methodologies and major revisions undergo a 30-day global public consultation, allowing scientists, researchers, and technical stakeholders to provide comments, critique assumptions, and suggest improvements.
• Guiding Principles Based on ISO Standards: Methodologies must align with internationally recognised GHG accounting standards (e.g. ISO 14064-2) and must demonstrate scientific rigor, transparency, and conservative assumptions to prevent overestimation of impact.
• Rejection of Scientifically Unsupported Proposals: Proposals lacking robust scientific evidence or a credible measurement/monitoring approach may be rejected during the concept review phase.

This structured engagement ensures that Gold Standard methodologies are grounded in the best available science and can stand up to external scrutiny from regulators, buyers, and climate experts.

How much does it cost to develop a methodology?  

Fees vary for methodology development depending on the type and complexity of the methodology - see Gold Standard fee schedule for fees related to methodology development. 

There is no charge for the review of a methodology concept note.  

Is there any compensation for methodology developers?

Methodology developers are exempt from the certification fee (including preliminary review, design review and first performance review) for the first activity that applies the approved methodology. 

Are there discounted methodology development fees for universities and host countries?

Universities and host countries may be offered a discounted fee. Please contact help@goldstandard.org for more information.

Is Gold Standard developing a Biochar Methodology?

Yes, Gold Standard is developing a Biochar Methodology that we hope to publish for public consultation later this year. 

The methodology will aim to cover both artisan and industrial biochar production.

Markets

What is the current price of an engineered CDR credit?

We recommend that project developers refer to third party resources like CDR.fyi for the latest market intelligence. The CDR.fyi Platform provides insights & analytics on durable CDR orders, projects and financings across the carbon removal market.

Will Gold Standard Engineered CDR Methodologies be CCP eligible?

Gold Standard is CCP Eligible at the programme level and individual Engineered CDR methodologies will be assessed on an ongoing basis. The following methodologies are in assessment with ICVCM and we hope to receive positive decisions later this year:

• GS Carbon mineralisation using reactive mineral waste, v 2.0
• GS Carbon Sequestration Through Accelerated Carbonation Of Concrete Aggregate , v 1.0         
• GS Methodology for Biomass Fermentation with Carbon Capture and Geologic Storage, v 2.0
• GS Methodology for Biomass Fermentation with Carbon Capture and Geologic Storage, v 1.0

Are Engineered Removals eligible under CORSIA?

CORSIA’s Technical Advisory Body (TAB) excluded novel Carbon Dioxide Removal (CDR) methods—such as biochar, direct air capture (DAC), and enhanced weathering—from the current eligibility list. The TAB highlighted that engineered CDR methods are relatively new and may lack established international best practices and mature, standardised methodologies. 

The TAB plans to reassess CDR methodologies during its 2025 assessment cycle and Gold Standard will advocate for their inclusion. This evaluation will consider ongoing developments, including advancements in International Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) guidelines and Article 6 of the Paris Agreement.

What is the EU CRCF, and will Gold Standard credits be eligible?

The EU’s upcoming Carbon Removal Certification Framework (CRCF) establishes the first EU-wide voluntary framework for certifying carbon removals, carbon farming, and carbon storage in products by setting quality criteria and monitoring processes to encourage sustainable investment and prevent greenwashing. The CRCF is expected to set a benchmark for CDR quality and transparency.

Gold Standard intends to seek recognition as a certification standard under the CRCF once a process becomes available, but this has not yet been established. Such recognition could provide opportunity for project developers, but only for EU-based projects.

For any remaining questions please contact us at help@goldstandard.org