The Gold Standard Foundation offers a quality label to CDM/JI and voluntary offset projects, resulting in improved sale prices over other certification prices. Renewable energy and energy efficiency projects with sustainable development benefits are eligible. The Gold Standard is endorsed by over 49 non-governmental organizations worldwide. Gold Standard projects are preferred by a range of government and private actors.

Initiated by WWF, SSN and Helio International, the Gold Standard for CDM projects was launched in 2003 after a wide-ranging stakeholder consultation among key actors of the carbon market as well as governments. A methodology for voluntary offset projects was launched in May 2006.