Countries: Across Africa
Gold Standard - The Gold Standard Carbon Market Training Network
About The Training
In September 2024, Verst Carbon joined forces with Gold Standard as one of five companies participating in the pilot phase of the Gold Standard Carbon Market Training Network. This global initiative is designed to strengthen local expertise in carbon markets and carbon finance, particularly in regions where access to these markets is limited. By co-designing and delivering targeted training resources, the project aims to empower local stakeholders with the skills and
knowledge necessary to engage in and benefit from carbon markets. The initiative targets organizations that already provide free or low-cost advisory support in project host countries, or those looking to do so in the future. Through this pilot, Gold Standard seeks to develop a deeper understanding of how it can collaborate with training organizations to broaden access to carbon markets, ensuring that stakeholders from diverse regions are equipped to navigate the complexities of carbon finance.
The Problem
Despite the growing global importance of carbon markets, many regions, especially in the Global South, face significant barriers to participation. Local stakeholders often lack access to the technical expertise and financial resources required to develop carbon projects and engage in carbon finance. This gap limits the potential for climate mitigation projects to thrive in these regions, and it also impedes local communities from benefiting from the financial and environmental opportunities carbon markets offer.
Furthermore, while there are advisory organizations working to support project development, many lack the specialized training and resources needed to effectively educate local stakeholders on carbon market mechanisms. This limits the scale and impact of their work and creates a bottleneck for broader participation in global carbon markets.
The Solution
The Gold Standard Carbon Market Training Network aims to address these challenges by building a collaborative platform where training organizations, including Verst Carbon, can co-design and deliver resources that improve access to carbon markets. By partnering with Gold Standard, Verst Carbon will help create a framework for training local stakeholders, focusing on demystifying carbon finance, understanding regulatory frameworks, and developing carbon projects that align with international standards.
Impact Made So Far
The Gold Standard Carbon Market Training Network is expected to have a lasting impact on local communities and organizations, enabling them to engage in carbon markets more effectively. By building local expertise, the program helps create a pathway for regions to unlock the financial and environmental benefits of carbon markets, contributing to global climate action.