Ecoener has successfully completed the verification of its first issuance of carbon credits at the Cumayasa 1 and 2 photovoltaic plants, bringing about a reduction of **69,330 tonnes of CO₂ ** over a period of seven months, between 6th September 2023 and 31st March 2024. This success has been certified with the internationally renowned Gold Standard.
With an annual reduction capacity of 138,385 tonnes of CO2, the plants demonstrate their positive impact on the fight against climate change. This result leads to the creation of an equivalent number of carbon credits, since one tonne of CO₂ saved equals one carbon credit. In addition, the Gold Standard permits the issuance of carbon credits for a period of 15 years.
The Gold Standard is a global certification label established in 2003 by the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) and other international organisations with the aim of ensuring that carbon offset and sustainable development projects generate real environmental and social impacts. It is a standard within the voluntary carbon market, which means that the credits generated can be purchased by companies and organisations seeking to offset their emissions proactively and in line with sustainability commitments. Unlike other standards, the Gold Standard not only verifies CO2 emission reductions, but also requires projects to deliver tangible benefits to local communities and the environment, aligning with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
In this case, verification under the Gold Standard ensures that the credits issued by the Cumayasa 1 and 2 PV plants are aligned with the following SDGs:
ODS 7 - Affordable and clean energy: Promoting the use of clean and renewable energy.
ODS 8 - Decent work and economic growth: Generating local employment and fostering sustainable economic development.
ODS 10 - Reducing inequalities: Benefiting local communities through access to clean energy and employment opportunities.
ODS 13- Climate action: Contributing directly to climate change mitigation through emissions reductions.
This milestone places Ecoener at the forefront of the carbon market in the Dominican Republic, being the second project in the country to verify carbon credits under the Gold Standard.