ICVCM Embeds Gender Equity Requirements in Core Carbon Principles

The Integrity Council for the Voluntary Carbon Market has integrated gender equality as a specific criterion within its Core Carbon Principles, requiring all CCP-eligible and CCP-approved credits to uphold gender integrity standards. The council identified women's underrepresentation in carbon market governance, project development, and benefit-sharing as a systemic challenge requiring active intervention, not merely passive safeguarding.

Gender equality is codified under criterion 7.8 of the Sustainable Development and Safeguards principle within the Core Carbon Principles. A recent Continuous Improvement Work Programme on Sustainable Development and Safeguards has prioritised gender as a focal point for enhancing Assessment Framework criteria. The ICVCM noted that women are disproportionately impacted by climate change and play a vital role in natural resource management in rural and Indigenous communities, yet face significant socio-economic and cultural barriers to participation in carbon markets, including inequalities in land tenure and benefit-sharing.

Multiple initiatives are working to address gender gaps in the voluntary carbon market. The W+ Standard from WOCAN provides gender-responsive certification measuring project impacts on women's empowerment in agriculture and forestry. The Work and Opportunities for Women programme, in partnership with UK Aid and PwC, has published practical guidance for project developers on delivering gender-inclusive carbon credits. The International Finance Corporation and other standards bodies are creating greater opportunities for women-led businesses to access carbon markets.

The ICVCM stated its intention to move beyond a 'Do No Harm' approach to one that actively empowers women as leaders in climate action. Ongoing challenges include limited financial access for women-led climate initiatives, insufficient data on gender-specific barriers in the voluntary carbon market, and low representation of women across project development, policy, and decision-making roles. The council is working with gender experts to build an ethical and scalable carbon market that delivers long-term positive impact for all participants.

Key figure — SDG criterion 7.8 mandates gender equity in all CCP-approved projects