About the GCS

GCS Framework

Project proponents maintain full sovereignty over the Conservation Area for the entire duration of the conservation agreement. GCS projects are consistent with national policy goals and the needs of the local population, including representatives of indigenous populations and local inhabitants.

The Global Conservation Standard is based on a holistic approach on land use in the context of local development. The Conservation Credit Units are quantified on the basis of carbon stocks in vegetation. They are the starting point for bringing in capacity and technology from a wide array of choices, such as agroforestry, intensified food production, land reclamation and erosion control, the production of agro-fuels, composting, watershed protection and wastewater treatment, or eco-tourism. The aim is to empower the rural sector and to substantially reduce the existing pressure on the land and water resources.

Revenue Breakdown

Conservation Credit Units (CCUs), which accrue to the government or legal landowner / land use licensee holder are available in the market for sale at 0.25 US$. The resulting revenues create a considerable capital pool critical to ensure the program meets its aims and goals. As a proxy, CCUs will generate an income of roughly 50 US$ per ha of standing protected forest. 

1. The government or legal landowner receives 20% of the gross CCU revenues. This serves to cover the cost of governmental or stakeholder administration as well as partial compensation for opportunity costs of the land;
2. The in-country Stakeholder Foundation receives 30% of the revenues. This is a critical point as unlike other conservation projects, the long-term commercial security of the indigenous people and the rural communities is a core goal for the GCS, the government or stakeholder. These monies are reinvested directly into the commercial zone activities;
3. The residual 50% directly finances the entire project implementation framework which consists of PIN verification, conservation management plan development and project registration and monitoring activities, registry and sale of the CCUs, third-party annual project validation and verification including helicopter fly-over, GIS monitoring, field inspection and project support activities from the GCS TP administration. This is achieved in conjunction with the government or legal landowner through the conservation agreement.  There are no costs to any stakeholder at any time during the process.

Benefits of the GCS

Conservation Credits Units strictly use the carbon stock approach and not the traditional carbon flow approach. They are not designed to “offset” greenhouse gas emissions elsewhere. Therefore, CCUs do not compete with the regulated or voluntary climate offset markets;

• The GCS brings money to areas that are currently not under commercial extractive use;
• The GCS does not depend on “additionality” or a “baseline scenario” in the traditional sense.
• The GCS is widely applicable (on private areas and Government concessions and national parks);
• Areas currently under conservation are eligible to ensure their continued protection and increased financing (i.e. conservation areas, national parks, world heritage sites, forest reserves, virgin jungle reserves);
• There is no restriction on landscape type or geographical area;
• The GCS uses independent accredited bodies to carry out annual assessments of carbon stocks, maintaining objectivity and precision in accounting;
• Annual third-party verification assures accurate, reliable and consistent revenue streams;
• The GCS offers real-time GIS imagery for up-to-date information;
• Project-related documentation is provided online and held in the registry for clear, accurate, transparent and accountable project information.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the allowable activities within the Conservation Area?

Permitted activities include the rehabilitation of degraded areas by eradication of invasive species (e.g. Imperata grasses), the planting of indigenous pioneer species and native species with the intention to restore the area to its near-natural habitat for long-term conservation. Also traditional uses by indigenous populations are acceptable.

What are the activities within the Commercial Zone?

Activities that are beneficial to the local communities and those that do not harm environmental or social values such as agroforestry, small-scale community driven plantations, cash-crops and other land use that are in line with principles and criteria of the GCS.

Am I actually conserving the natural habitat by sponsoring Conservation Credit Units?

Yes, CCUs are increasing the value of the natural habitat and as a direct result, the landowners and local populations are profiting from the commercial zone activities. By purchasing CCUs, there is a direct effect on the restoration or rehabilitation of the natural environment.

What are Conservation Credit Units?

Units to measure the volume of ecosystem service conservation directly related to project activity. CCUs are scientifically sound and 3rd party verified and valid for one-year. This creates a capital pool and offers commercial returns and brand equity enhancement.

How are Conservation Credit Units calculated?

CCUs are equitable to the approved ecosystem service methodology to which the conservation area is approved. CCUs can be in the form of carbon, biodiversity, water, nutrient, etc. and there are no restrictions to a single area hosting CCUs from more than one approved methodology simultaneously. Project proponent(s) purchase the CCUs an annual basis for the duration of the project timeframe. The current buying price of one CCU is $0.25.

What types of Conservation Credit Units are possible?

CCUs may be stem from ecosystem services from the following ecosystem service functions:

• Carbon (above-ground, below-ground)
  • Methodology 1: Above-Ground Carbon
  • Methodology 2: Below-Ground Carbon (under development)
• Water
  • (under development)
• Biodiversity
  • (under development)
• Nutrient
  • (under development)
• Phosphate
  • (under development)
• Nitrate
  • (under development)
• Sulphur
  • (under development)