TGBS is an independent, not-for-profit standard that provides site-based assurance on biodiversity outcomes in nature-based restoration. 

Our mission is to ensure that restoration delivers real, measurable outcomes for biodiversity. We do this by providing rigorous, independent assessments that funders, governments, and investors can rely on.

Developed by the world’s leading biodiversity organisations 

TGBS was developed by a global coalition of leading organisations in biodiversity science and ecological restoration, including Botanic Gardens Conservation International (BGCI), the Society for Ecological Restoration, the Plan Vivo Foundation, CIFOR-ICRAF, TRAFFIC, and Ecosia.

Through BGCI and its partners, TGBS draws on a global network of botanical and biodiversity expertise spanning more than 900 institutions and 60,000 experts across over 100 countries.

The methodology builds on robust, internationally recognised frameworks and is listed in the TNFD Tools Catalogue.

15 countries | 5 continents | 100+ sites tested 

Potting up seedlings in a nursery of native tree species including those that have never been propagated before. Forest workers remove invasive trees and plant species and replant a native forest in its place. Taken as part of a documentation of the Ecological Restoration Alliance, a group of botanic gardens restoring 100 damaged habitats on six continents, this story was shot in Kenya. Here thousands of acres of forest were removed in the early 1900's for the production of mono culture crops of tea and the eucalyptus used to dry it. In just 12 years the NGO Plants for Life has restored a eucalyptus plantation into a thriving forest with over 150 bird species, a wide range of mammals and hundreds of rare and endangered tree species. Brackenhurst, Near Limaru. Kenya. before. Forest workers remove invasive trees and plant species and replant a native forest in its place. Taken as part of a documentation of the Ecological Restoration Alliance, a group of botanic gardens restoring 100 damaged habitats on six continents, this story was shot in Kenya. Here thousands of acres of forest were removed in the early 1900's for the production of mono culture crops of tea and the eucalyptus used to dry it. In just 12 years the NGO Plants for Life has restored a eucalyptus plantation into a thriving forest with over 150 bird species, a wide range of mammals and hundreds of rare and endangered tree species. Brackenhurst, Near Limaru. Kenya.
"Only 3% of global climate finance is spent on nature-based solutions. It means our solutions to the climate crisis take little account of the natural world and even those that do - like tree planting - are actually failing to increase our climate resilience. This Global Biodiversity Standard will encourage better, more long-term, nature-based solutions to the climate crisis. Solutions that consider carbon absorption, the needs of local communities, as well as biodiversity so that initiatives are more likely to succeed."
Elizabeth Maruma Mrema
Elizabeth Maruma MremaFormer Secretary General of the UN Convention on Biological Diversity
“IUCN welcomes the TGBS as a tool to assess the impacts of tree planting and other nature-based initiatives on biodiversity and ecosystem integrity, providing assurance to financiers and policymakers, as well as assistance to practitioners. IUCN hosts the Bonn Challenge Secretariat, which records and tracks progress against a target of 350 million hectares of land pledged for FLR by 2030.”
Dr. Grethel Aguilar
Dr. Grethel AguilarDirector General of IUCN
“The TGBS is one of several tools that are compatible with the Convention on Biological Diversity’s Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF). Target 1 of the GBF calls for participatory effective management of biodiversity and ecological integrity, and Targets 2 and 11 call for restoration to repair damage already caused. Target 4 calls for urgent management action to halt human-induced extinction, and Targets 5 and 9 seek to ensure that the use, harvesting and trade of wild species is sustainable. The Global Biodiversity Standard will help to deliver on all of these targets.”
Dr. David Cooper
Dr. David CooperActing Executive Secretary of the Convention on Biological Diversity

Who we work with

Funders and governments

Public and concessional finance is under growing scrutiny. Funders and governments need to demonstrate that investments in restoration are generating real biodiversity outcomes, not just activity. TGBS provides independent, site-based assurance that makes ecological risk visible early, supports value-for-money assessments, and gives decision-makers a credible basis for the claims they need to stand behind.

 

Investors

Nature-related risk is increasingly material to investment decisions. TGBS provides independent, site-based insight across portfolios, going beyond project narratives to give investors the evidence they need for credible disclosure. TGBS is listed in the TNFD Tools Catalogue, supporting reporting against leading nature-related financial frameworks. 

 

Project developers

Restoration done well creates lasting value. TGBS helps project developers understand what good biodiversity practice looks like in their context, identify risks early, and demonstrate credible outcomes to funders and partners. For projects building towards certification, TGBS also offers a separate mentoring service to support readiness over time. 

 

Standards bodies and programmes

TGBS is designed to work alongside existing standards and programmes, not replace them. Where independent biodiversity assurance is not already in place, TGBS fills that gap without introducing new assets or unnecessary complexity. For standards bodies and programme managers, TGBS adds ecological credibility without blurring roles or duplicating existing systems.

347A1222

Whether you are a funder, government, investor, project developer, or potential partner, we welcome a conversation about how TGBS can support your goals

Get in touch