News from Carbon Standards International

Dear ,

We hope that March is off to a great start for you and your team. As we move further into the year, we are pleased to share the latest updates, developments, and insights from Carbon Standards International in this month’s newsletter.

Carbon Standards International Strategic Update: Official Submission to CORSIA 2026 Assessment Cycle

Carbon Standards International is proud to announce that we have officially confirmed our application to the ICAO Technical Advisory Body (TAB) for the 2026 assessment cycle.

This application represents a strategic milestone in our mission to integrate high-integrity carbon removal into the global compliance infrastructure. As the aviation industry moves toward mandatory offsetting requirements in 2027, the demand for units that meet the strict CORSIA Emissions Unit Eligibility Criteria (EUC) remains unbroken.

Strategic Readiness: The Global C-Sink Registry The core of our submission is supported by the technical readiness of the Global C-Sink Registry. As international standards shift, the Global C-Sink Registry is already equipped to "flag" credits for Corresponding Adjustments (CAs). This functionality is essential for Article 6.2 transfers, providing a seamless pathway for host countries and project developers to avoid double-counting and maintain national inventory integrity.

Market Flexibility and Real Integrity: Our goal remains unchanged: to provide the maximum flexibility for project developers and carbon credit buyers in the Global C-Sink Registry. By seeking CORSIA eligibility, we raise awareness and strengthen trust in our high integrity standards. We prove that our standards and registry align with internationally recognized requirements increasingly demanded by the voluntary carbon market.

Continuing our Leadership: Headquartered in Frick, Switzerland, Carbon Standards International has consistently seen our technical innovations adopted by regulatory authorities. This latest step into the CORSIA framework ensures that our rigorous methodologies for carbon sinks continue to set the benchmark for the next phase of global climate action.

For further details on our application and current projects, please visit our website at www.carbon-standards.com.

Carbon Standards International successfully completes MoU negotiations with Ecuador

Carbon Standards International is pleased to announce the successful conclusion of negotiations on a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Ecuador’s Ministry of Environment and Energy (MAE) as an important step towards endorsement of Carbon Standards International under the national Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Emissions Compensation Scheme “Ecuador Carbono Cero” (PECC).

The MoU sets out a strategic collaboration to jointly develop a roadmap of strategic actions to support the operationalisation of Ecuador’s PECC Scheme, with Carbon Standards International’s certification programme and methodologies contributing to this process through targeted technical cooperation and capacity building with MAE.

Ueli Steiner, CEO of Carbon Standards International, said: “The conclusion of these negotiations marks an important step in CSI’s engagement with Ecuador’s national climate framework. By working closely with MAE, we aim to support robust, transparent implementation of Ecuador’s PECC Scheme and help channel investment into high integrity carbon removal and other activities across the country.”

With negotiations now complete, the Parties are preparing for the formal signing of the MoU in the coming weeks.

VCM Update: From ICROA to ICVCM and CORSIA

The Global C-Sink Registry from Carbon Standard International has been recognised by the International Carbon Reduction and Offsetting Alliance (ICROA). See Endorsed Crediting Programmes | ICROA. However, ICROA has announced that it will discontinue the programme in the third quarter of 2026.

ICROA was certainly a pioneer in establishing external audit systems in voluntary carbon markets, and our endorsement was also a positive process for us internally and helped to improve our services.

Now, in 2026, the market will be more influenced by two organisations: the Integrity Council for the Voluntary Carbon Market (ICVCM) and the Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation (CORSIA). CSI will endeavour to obtain these endorsements.

Construction C-Sink Manager Training

Become a Construction C-Sink Manager!

Official 2-Day Training at the OPENLY Academy

06.05 - 07.05
Widnau, at the OPENLY building

The Construction C-Sink Manager Training is the pathway for companies that want to actively manage carbon-storing construction projects using biogenic materials such as wood, biochar, and other bio-based materials.

During the two-day training at the OPENLY Academy, participants gain practical and regulatory knowledge to manage the entire Construction C-Sink process — from biomass sourcing and documentation to project preparation, verification, and C-Sink registration. This course is part of the official Endorsement process to become a Construction C-Sink Manager.

What the Training Enables You to Do :

• Apply the Global Construction C-Sink Standard correctly
• Prepare construction projects for validation and verification
• Understand auditing and compliance requirements
• Manage verified carbon sinks (CINKs)
• Position your company as a qualified sustainable construction partner

Endorsement and Next Steps:

• Each participant receives a training completion certificate
• The company is registered as a provisionally endorsed Construction C-Sink Manager
• After the first project and audit, the company can achieve full official endorsement
• Endorsed companies can manage, transfer or retire CINKs for building owners with the Construction Tool

Who Should Attend?

• Construction and real-estate companies
• Timber and bio-based material suppliers
• Sustainability consultants
• Developers and project managers
• NGOs and climate-focused organizations

Next step: Register for the Construction C-Sink Manager Training via Carbon Standards International and become part of the next generation of climate-positive construction.

Register on the link below.

For more information contact us: info@carbon-standards.com

Registration form

Update on Project Design Documents

Effective 15 March 2026

We would like to inform you about an update regarding the requirements for Project Design Documents (PDDs) across all Global C-Sink Standards. These changes ensure alignment with international expectations, and strengthened documentation of social and environmental co-benefits.

Key Updates to PDD Requirements

1. Additional Content Now Required
All PDDs must include:

• An assessment of potential impacts on Indigenous Peoples and local communities
• A description of the project’s contribution to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

2. What does this mean for my project?

It depends on the project status you are at. The project status is visible under https://global-c-registry.org/projects

a. Project status: Validated
PDDs that have already completed the validation process remain unchanged. No revision is required for PDDs that have been validated before 15 March.

b. Project status: Ongoing Validation
For PDDs that are still undergoing validation, the updated template:

• May be used voluntarily
• Is not mandatory

However, CSI encourages project proponents to adopt the new template early if feasible.

c. Project status: Endorsed

All PDDs that have not yet entered public consultation must:
• Be updated using the new PDD template

This requirement applies to all submissions moving forward.

3. Effective Date
These updates take effect on:
15 March 2026

4. Where to find the new templates?

Global Artisan C-Sink

Global Biochar C-Sink

Global Tree C-Sink

If you have any questions about the updated template or how the changes apply to your project, the CSI team is happy to assist.

Please contact us at

service@carbon-standards.com

Kind regards,

Your Team of Carbon Standards International AG

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