UNDP released a practical toolkit to help governments and developers strengthen the social integrity of carbon market activities. It focuses on rights, safeguards and the conditions needed for transparent, credible and community-aligned projects.

What you will find

• Guidance on engaging communities through Free, Prior and Informed Consent

• How to design clear and fair benefit sharing systems

• How to create accessible grievance mechanisms

• How to identify and manage social and environmental risks

• How to document SDG impacts and monitor them over time

• A full module explaining how carbon markets work and how Article 6.2 operates

Why this matters

• Stronger consultation reduces conflict and delays

• Effective safeguards improve audit results

• Transparent benefit sharing builds long term trust

• Documented SDG contributions support project credibility

Additional value

• Helps governments prepare for Article 6 participation

• Supports developers in improving community engagement before siting or sourcing decisions

• Strengthens project governance and reduces investor risk

• Provides a common language for integrity across standards, VVBs and buyers

What the Toolkit does not include

• No methodologies or quantification rules

• No technology-specific guidance

• No registry, pricing or crediting procedures

• No templates for PDDs or MRV structures

• No comparison across standards

• No instructions for credit issuance

It is not a standard and not a replacement for existing rules. It is a foundation to help projects meet integrity expectations before they enter a certification process.

Members working in planning, certification, local engagement or government coordination will find this especially useful.

• This discussion was modified 6 months ago by  LUISA E MARIN DE BLOCK.