The Global Conservation Standard is an area-based verification mechanism. Inside projects, we differentiate between the Core Conservation Area and the Commercial Buffer Zone.

The requirements for the Core Conservation Area are high: Legal land ownership needs be established, and the landowner needs to be at least among the project proponents. Once defined and validated, this area cannot be reduced over a period of at least 30 years. However, newly core protected areas can be added at any time, in consultation with the GCS Secretariat. The sale of Conservation Credit Units (CCUs) will cover conservation management and at least a part of the opportunity cost of protection.

The Commercial Buffer Zone is the area of influence as defined by the project proponents. The population in this area will also benefit from the sale of CCUs, because they too usually incur opportunity cost from protected areas in their neighborhood. Usually, the population will be represented by one or more non-governmental organizations. 

The size and shape of this Buffer Zone can be adapted over time in consultation with the GCS Secretariat.

The projects currently funded are:

• Private Reserve Karen Mogensen
• Barbilla National Park
• Acuíferos Guácimo-Pococí Special Interest Site for Conservation