About TGBS

TGBS was developed by a global coalition of biodiversity, restoration, and land management organisations, and is coordinated by Botanic Gardens Conservation International (BGCI). The founding organisations are BGCI, the Society for Ecological Restoration (SER), the Plan Vivo Foundation, TRAFFIC, the Center for International Forestry Research and World Agroforestry Centre (CIFOR-ICRAF), and Ecosia. 

The development of the assessment methodology was also supported by Rabobank, Reforest’Action, the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, Bioflore, Space Intelligence, and 1t.org. 

Prior to its official launch at CBD COP-16 in October 2024, the methodology was developed and tested with partner organisations across six countries.

TGBS is now operational across 15 countries and five continents, with more than 100 sites assessed. 

The development of the Global Biodiversity Standard was supported by funding from the Defra UK Darwin Initiative Extra project DAREX001 and Etihad Airways.

Our values

Our mission is to halt the biodiversity crisis. We:

Protect and restore biodiversity

Deforestation, pests and disease, climate change and the introduction of invasive species have led to the destruction of the world's biodiversity. Reversing this is at the heart of everything TGBS does.

Draw on the knowledge of local and international experts

TGBS draws on the world's largest plant conservation network, with more than 900 member institutions and 60,000 experts across more than 100 countries.

Are objective and independent

We have deep experience in threatened tree species recovery and access to the most up-to-date scientific data on plant diversity.

Are accessible and equitable

TGBS is designed to be straightforward to engage with, affordable, easy to apply, and applicable to projects at all scales and stages of development.

TGBS Partners

TGBS’s technical partners bring together expertise across biodiversity science, ecosystem restoration, and land management from around the world.

Regional hubs are independently operating organisations that conduct on-the-ground assessments, bringing local ecological knowledge and embedded relationships within national systems. They are central to the contextual relevance and scientific credibility of TGBS assessments.
“The IUCN Red List reflects the dire conservation status of trees, with 1 in 3 threatened with extinction. This standard provides the opportunity to contribute to stemming this extinction crisis through facilitating restoration of their habits using appropriate indigenous species, while actively including threatened trees amongst the suite of species included in tree planting initiatives will bolster critically low population numbers and put these species on the path to full ecological recovery.”
Domitilla Raimondo
Domitilla RaimondoIUCN Species Survival Commission Chair Plant Conservation Committee
“We are delighted to see this important Standard launched today. The scientific rigour at its core will help to ensure that tree planting is done properly and that it protects both native biodiversity and livelihoods, which is at the heart of our mission at RBG Kew. Several years of collaborative work went into the development of the Ten Golden Rules for Reforestation, addressing some of the more alarming practices happening in the name of climate change mitigation around the world. To have a global standard against which to measure if best practice in this area is being upheld is really positive for nature and for all of us working in plant and fungal science.”
Richard Deverell
Richard DeverellDirector of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
“CIFOR-ICRAF is committed to sharing knowledge that empowers smallholder farmers to plant trees for optimal results. As an enthusiastic supporter of the TGBS, CIFOR-ICRAF is proud to have contributed to the methodologies outlined in the manual. Together, we are shaping a future where trees drive positive transformation, embodying our shared commitment to a sustainable, resilient and just world.”
Dr. Éliane Ubalijoro
Dr. Éliane UbalijoroCEO of the Center for International Forestry Research and World Agroforestry (CIFOR-ICRAF)

Supporters

BGCI is grateful to its donors and supporters, whose contributions have made the development of TGBS possible. 

If you are interested in supporting TGBS through funding or sponsorship, please get in touch.

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Darwin Initiative

The Global Biodiversity Standard is supported by the Darwin Initiative Extra grant DAREX001.

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JS Global

JS Global is the Official Business and Nature Finance Advisor to the Global Biodiversity Standard.

How we work

Find out how TGBS certification works and what it means for your project
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