# Can switching our furnace from coal to gas earn Gold Standard credits?

Canonical: https://senseible.earth/answers/gold-standard-fossil-fuel-switch-projects-not-supported

No. Gold Standard does not support fossil fuel switch projects, or any project that supports, enhances or prolongs energy generation from fossil fuel. Narrow exceptions for some energy efficiency involving fossil fuels sit in the specific Activity or Product Requirements, not in the core rule.

## The rule

Section 4.1.7 says Gold Standard does not support project types associated with geo-engineering, or energy generated from fossil fuel or nuclear, fossil fuel switch, or any project that supports, enhances or prolongs such energy generation.

## What coal to gas is

A switch from one fossil fuel to another is a fossil fuel switch, so it falls under this rule.

## The exception

For some energy efficiency involving fossil fuels, for example LPG stoves, an exception is made and written into the relevant Activity Requirements, approved impact quantification methodology or Product Requirements.

## What to do

1. Check whether your project type has its own Gold Standard Activity Requirements or methodology.
2. If it does not, a fossil fuel switch is not eligible.
3. A different kind of project, such as a switch away from fossil fuel, is judged under its own requirements; ask Gold Standard.

## Other standards

Each registry has its own rules. This page covers only Gold Standard.

## What Senseible does here

Senseible is not a registry or an auditor. Its carbon credit signals screen a project against published rules, so a switch like this is flagged before money is spent.

- [Carbon credit signals](https://senseible.earth/carbon-credits)
- [Verra or Gold Standard: which to choose](https://senseible.earth/answers/verra-or-gold-standard-which-to-choose)
- [Furnace oil to PNG switch emissions](https://senseible.earth/answers/furnace-oil-to-png-switch-emissions-saving)

Sources: [Gold Standard for the Global Goals, Principles and Requirements v2.1 (January 2025), 4.1.7](https://globalgoals.goldstandard.org/standards/101_V2.1_PAR_Principles-Requirements.pdf)

Last reviewed 2026-11-03. Read from version 2.1 (31 January 2025), which listed an update for 5 December 2025. Check for a newer version before relying on it.