Clean Development Mechanism
The Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) is an arrangement under the Kyoto Protocol allowing industrialised countries with a greenhouse gas reduction commitment (called Annex 1 countries) to invest in projects that reduce emissions in developing countries as an alternative to more expensive emission reductions in their own countries. The most important factor of a carbon project is that it establishes that it would not have occurred without the additional incentive provided by emission reductions credits.

CDM Gold Standard
The CDM Gold Standard is a set of (voluntary) guidelines for Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) projects which strive to guarantee that the projects meet high standards in terms of benefits for environment and development.

The Gold Standard for CDM projects was launched in 2003 after being initiated by WWF, BASE - Basel Agency for Sustainable Energy, SouthSouthNorth and Helio International. A methodology for voluntary carbon offset projects was launched in May 2006.

ICROA
International Carbon Reduction and Offset Alliance (ICROA) is a not-for-profit alliance of leading carbon reduction and offset organisations. ICROA members support a reduce-and-offset approach to carbon management, and they all comply with the ICROA Code of Best Practice.

ICROA has established a Code of Best Practice for carbon management and offset companies. All ICROA members must adhere to the Code and pay membership fees.

ICROA's purpose is to:
* Support rigorous standards for the international voluntary carbon-management industry
* Establish best practice, through the promotion of the ICROA Code of Best Practice and adherence to that Code among its members
* Provide a credible industry voice on carbon reduction and offset policies, strategies, products, and services to governments, non-governmental organisations, policy-makers, businesses, and the media

The key elements of best practice to which ICROA members adhere are:
* Measure carbon footprints according to accepted international standards
* Set emissions reduction targets based on scientific assessments
* Assess and implement both internal and external emissions reduction opportunities, the "reduce-and- offset" approach
* Use credible offset projects, where offsetting is appropriate to meet emissions reduction targets
* Be transparent in communicating emissions reduction strategies and practices
* Use offsets that meet the following principles: Real, Measurable, Permanent, Additional, Independently verified, and Unique
* ICROA supports offsets certified under the Clean Development Mechanism, Joint Implementation, the Gold Standard, and Voluntary Carbon Standard
* Submit publicly available annual report demonstrating compliance with the Code