The Global Biodiversity Standard (TGBS) is a site based certification and mentoring programme that assesses biodiversity outcomes of restoration and nature-based solutions. It applies the tried and tested expertise of the global biodiversity community and is built on science, local context, and field-based data. TGBS is suitable for projects at all stages ranging from planning to advanced implementation and is applicable to all land types whether it is terrestrial or coastal. It is focused on outcomes not processes intentions or paperwork and is currently piloted at 100+ sites in 8 countries across multiple biomes.

The Global Biodiversity Standard is an initiative by the Botanic Garden Conservation International (BGCI). BGCI leads the world's largest plant conservation network with over 920 member institutions and 60,000 experts in over 120 countries. BGCI co-ordinates the Ecological Restoration Alliance of Botanic Gardens which comprises 50 organisations carrying out biodiverse ecological restoration worldwide. The global trees campaign has recovered over 400 threatened tree species over the past 15 years and BGCI leads the global tree assessment generating the most accurate and comprehensive data on global tree diversity available.

Developed by a world-wide coalition of global experts including: Society for Ecological Restoration (SER), Botanic Gardens Conservation International, IUCN, Species Survival Commission (SSC), Plan Vivo, BioFlore, Rabobank, Royal Botanical Gardens (KEW), Traffic (the wildlife trade monitoring network), Reforest action, 1t.org, Ecosia, Cifor, and World Agroforestry. Development of the standard funded by Etihad Airways and Darwin Initiative.

TGBS offers a certification for all land management projects and the global biodiversity standard assesses projects across the full restoration continuum. It is applicable to single and mixed land uses and there is no minimum or maximum size requirement.

Certification for all terrestrial and coastal ecosystems including, tropical forests, savannas, greenlands, drylands, temperate and boreal forests, wetlands, and mangroves.

TGBS is a site based certification mentoring programme that has seven steps. The first step is to fill out an online application and once that is done then the data collected on the baseline current and reference conditions begins. The data is taken with remote sensing and field surveys by regional hubs. The data is then scored against eight criteria. After that is done, verification by reviewers from the TGBS secretariat and independent third-party audit process. The certification is score dependent on basic, advanced, or premium. Once that is done there is ongoing mentoring to further improve biodiversity by outcomes. After five years a reassessment will take place.

There is a certification for all project stages and certified plans for projects that are in the design phase. Pre-certification for early staged projects (within 10 years). There are basic, advanced, and premium certifications for biodiversity positive sites and the tiering based on scoring thresholds.

TGBS assesses project site from baseline in current condition to highest ecosystem recovery compared to reference model. They baseline the condition of a site at the beginning of the restoration process. Then they look at the current condition of a site while the assessment is being conducted. TGBS also references models referring to specific real-world native ecosystems and the attributes obtained by multiple modern analogs or reference sites.

The protection of biodiversity and habitats within a site by effective management is necessary in

addition to legal status. They enhance protection of existing habitats and biodiversity and incorporate framework from IUCN for protected area and OCEM as well as IUCN red list of ecosystems.

TGBS works on achieving social ecological and economic benefit by a people-centered approach that is necessary for long-term restoration. They use adapted attributes from the social benefits wheel

from SER standard to capture the social aspects of a restoration project and biodiversity related initiative. Their goal is to protect, restore, and manage biodiversity in consultation and partnership with local communities and other stakeholders.

TGBS encourages commitments of monitoring and management guided by SOP and ISF and implements robust monitoring evaluation and adaptive management of biodiversity. This involves ongoing management planning (max two points), long term resourcing (max two points), adaptive management (max 1.5 points), continuous improvement (max 1.5 points), and monitoring and evaluation (max 3 points)

TGBS mentoring programme allows technical guidance in restoration best practice. It is designed to help tree-planting partners maximize biodiversity benefits. They offer project support and assistance is provided across various project stages such as planning and preparation (0-1 year), early stage implementation (2-10 years), established projects (>10 years), along with monitoring and adaptive management, and TGBS certified projects. Capacity building enhances knowledge in ecological restoration, biodiversity monitoring and adaptive management. TGBS supports projects in applying TGBS methodology whether or not seeking certification.

TGBS mentoring programme consists of two types of programmes: workshops or one-on-one mentoring. Both are offered in one time sessions as well as long-term sessions. The workshop can take place virtually or in person and consists of group seminars from various entities, hands on simulation, local case studies, interactive presentation and optional field visits. The one on one mentoring usually takes place in person and includes site visits along with customised guidance for projects and practitioners. It also addresses specific topics, project needs or strategies and has real time problem solving. Both include insights from experienced partners and TGBS assessors. Sessions are conducted in English, with multilingual captions and recordings available.

TGBS has three different modules: essentials, sustainability and enrichment. The essential modules consist of developing a fundamental understanding of TGBS. This starts out with an Introduction to TGBS then it moves on to your project eligibility and the certification process. Once that is done, it moves onto the baselines and reference models along with protection of ecosystems, stakeholders engagement and social benefits, and basic monitoring evaluation and adaptive management. The last step is to do the TGBS submission process. TGBS sustainability module provides advanced strategies for long-term success such as advance monitoring strategies, monitoring plan development and resources, adaptive management along with ongoing management, enhancing biodiversity protection and strategic planning for continuous improvement. The third module is the enrichment module which provides advanced restoration techniques. This consists of ecological restoration principles and techniques, genetic diversity and conservation, seed based restoration, propagation protocols, species secession, control of invasive species, community and cultural engagement and ecosystem restoration and sustainable use.

The next step for delivering better biodiversity outcomes is to start with a mentoring inquiry and an eligibility check for certification. The resources available for that are the TGBS manual, Application form and the FAQ page. You can also connect info@biodiversitystandard.org for more information.