Carbon project certifier Gold Standard has paired up with the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) to develop together a new accreditation scheme that will extend the list of auditors eligible to review energy projects while also improving the quality of audits through better oversight.

“The climate agreement reached at the COP-21 in Paris this month recognises the need for robust, transparent accounting of emissions, providing a clear mandate for standards operating in this space,” the organisations said in a joint press release on Wednesday.

“Monitoring, reporting, and verification (MRV) are essential elements of climate and development initiatives, ensuring that project investments go further to deliver greater impacts.”

Historically, only designated operational entities (DOEs) registered under the UNFCCC have been eligible to act as auditors for Gold Standard projects.

“While Gold Standard will continue to recognise DOEs, this new scheme also opens the doors to ANSI Greenhouse Gas Validation and Verification Bodies (VVBs), providing additional validation and verification options for project developers and implementers,” the organisations said.

They added that they will look to add additional sectors under their partnership in the future.

Switzerland-headquartered Gold Standard, which was founded by WWF and other NGOs in 2003, certifies CDM and voluntary emissions reduction projects that also promote sustainable development.

Gold Standard has given its stamp of approval to more than 1,100 projects in over 70 countries, helping to channel billions of dollars in climate and development funding.

By Mike Szabo – mike@carbon-pulse.com