The Gender Due Diligence Guide is designed to support buyers in effectively integrating gender equality and women’s empowerment considerations into their due diligence process for the purchase of Natural Climate Solutions (NCS) carbon credits. This Guide was developed by Women Organizing for Change in Agriculture and Natural Resource Management (WOCAN), with contributions from the NCS Alliance.

The goal of this Guide is to make gender equality and women’s empowerment a fundamental benefit of NCS projects rather than an optional add-on. To achieve this, the Guide is made readily accessible to all participants in the carbon market, including developers, investors, buyers, and standard setters.

Incorporating gender equality and women’s empowerment considerations into the planning and implementation of NCS projects will not only strengthen the integrity of individual carbon projects but also enhance the credibility of the Voluntary Carbon Market. By addressing the needs and priorities of women and gender-diverse individuals through NCS, these projects are more likely to secure sustained community support, thereby improving project longevity and overall effectiveness.