Global Biodiversity Standard
The world’s only international certification that specifically recognises and promotes the protection, restoration, and enhancement of biodiversity.
About The Standard
The Global Biodiversity Standard addresses the challenge of tree planting programmes, some of which are inadvertently causing harm to our world’s ecosystems.
It provides assurance that tree planting, habitat restoration and agroforestry practices are protecting, restoring, and enhancing biodiversity.
The Standard applies the tried and tested expertise of the global botanical community, with the knowledge of local communities, to tree planting and restoration sites across the world.
Development Of The Methodology
The partners of the Global Biodiversity Standard are collaboratively developing and testing the assessment process for the standard. Development of the methodology is led by the technical partners: Botanic Gardens Conservation International (BGCI), the Society for Ecological Restoration (SER), World Agroforestry Centre – ICRAF, TRAFFIC, Ecosia, The Plan Vivo Foundation (PVF) and 1t.org. The methodology is being tested by the regional hub partners across six biodiverse countries: Jardim Bôtanico Araribá (Brazil), Huarango Nature (Peru), Auroville Botanical Gardens (India), Missouri Botanical Gardens Madagascar (Madagascar), Centre for Ecological Restoration – Kenya (Kenya) and Tooro Botanical Gardens (Uganda). This methodology is still under development, with a draft version available online. A manual for Global Biodiversity Standard is currently under construction and will be available when officially launched. The methodology involves:
- An online application form (Available online in English, French, Portuguese and Spanish)
- A remote sensing assessment*
- A field survey assessment (Available online in English, French, Portuguese and Spanish)
(PDF’s are also available at the bottom of this page.)
Applicants for certification by the Global Biodiversity Standard are assessed according to eight (8) criteria:
- Protect existing habitats and biodiversity.
- Select appropriate areas and don’t displace existing biodiverse habitats.
- Manage biodiversity in consultation and partnership with local communities and stakeholders.
- Aim to maximize biodiversity recovery through ecosystem restoration, including planting, natural regeneration and assisted natural regeneration.
- Manage and reduce invasive or potentially invasive species.
- As appropriate, use native species and incorporate threatened and rare species.
- Promote genetic diversity and resilience.
- Implement robust monitoring, evaluation, and adaptive management of biodiversity.
Technical Consultation
We invite technical experts to provide feedback on the current iteration of the methodology. More specifically, we seek feedback from parties working with:
- ecological restoration
- biodiversity conservation
- remote sensing
- land management
- forestry
- global policy and frameworks
- community engagement
The consultation process helps us to guarantee:
- The standard promotes best practices in ecological restoration.
- The standard is rigorous and scientifically robust.
- The standard drives behavioural change amongst tree-planting organisations.
- The standard aligns with global policy and frameworks.
Please note that the Technical Consultation period has now ended.
If you would still like to contribute then please contact the Global Biodiversity Standard Project Manager, David Bartholomew
Additional Resources
*Remote Sensing Report Summary and Remote Sensing Report – Full Version available.
Application Form PDFs:
Assessment Form PDFs:
