Gold Standard issues first rice methane reduction credits from Pakistan project

Gold Standard issued 46,714 carbon credits, the first under its Rice Alternative Wetting and Drying (AWD) Methodology, from a project in Pakistan. Developed by NetZeroAg, the project involved 2,000 smallholder farmers and focuses on reducing methane emissions from rice cultivation. This issuance sets a precedent for high-integrity agricultural mitigation efforts, with Gold Standard CEO Margaret Kim stating it 'is a case study of what high-integrity climate action can look like.' The project also contributed to eight UN Sustainable Development Goals and plans further issuances totalling 57,188 credits annually for 2024 and 2025 vintages, expanding to include 3,000 farmers.