Open letter: The need for a site-based biodiversity standard measuring and certifying impacts from nature-based projects
The Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (KM-GBF) has established ambitious targets for ecosystem restoration, including restoring at least 30% of degraded ecosystems by 2030. However, many large-scale restoration initiatives continue to prioritize tree planting over broader ecological restoration, often resulting in biodiversity loss through the use of monocultures and non-native species. Limited monitoring and reporting of biodiversity outcomes have created significant challenges in assessing restoration effectiveness and preventing unintended ecological harm. Existing international frameworks and standards provide guidance for biodiversity-centered restoration, yet gaps remain in the verification of site-level outcomes. The Global Biodiversity Standard addresses this need through an independent certification system that evaluates ecosystem integrity, biodiversity recovery, social benefits and adaptive management using established restoration principles and scientific methodologies. Supported by a coalition of restoration organizations and biodiversity experts, the standard combines rigorous assessment with local ecological knowledge to verify restoration outcomes. The authors call for policymakers, investors, businesses and philanthropists to adopt independent biodiversity certification, strengthen local expertise and shift restoration success metrics from implementation activities to measurable gains in ecosystem integrity, species recovery and biodiversity conservation.
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Authors
Bartholomew, D.,Smith, P.,De Vitis, M.,Gann, G.,Mosyaftiani, A.,Abdalqader, H.,Abel, L.,Adhimabo, L.,Aerts, A.,Aggarwal, L.,Ahmed, R.,Alvarez-Clare, S.,Andriamihajarivo, T.,Andringa-Davis, A.,Angappan, H.,Aranda-Pineda, J.,Arregi, I.,Baker, W.,Baldwin, K.,Baron, A.,Barreiro, G.,Barstow, M.,Basciu, D.,Bayarkhuu, S.,Beets, N.,Bejerano, A.,Birchenko, I.,Birkinshaw, C.,Bisang, I.,Blackmore, S.,Boers, A.,Bouman, R.,Bradley, R.,Brancalion, P.,Breman, E.,Buisson, E.,Bulafu, C.,Burchard-Levine, A.,Burslem, D.,Bussmann, R.,Calle-Loor, A.,Callow, C.,Covill, C.,Camara, C.,Cambria, V.E.,Cardoso, F.,Carr, D.,Carriconde, F.,Carvey, N.,Chan, T.,Chavarot, G.,Cheuk, M.,Chhabra, T.,Chopra, V.,Chrystal, B.,Coffey, E.,Cole, R.,Colleran, B.,Comte, A.,Contardo, M.,Cowell, C.,D'helft, D.,da Gama, A.,Dalrymple, S.,Ramos, G.D.,Portilla, A.D.,Demissew, S.,Deverell, R.,Diazgranados, M.,Durzi, S.,Dutra, E.,Erler, T.,Eserman, L.,Fantozzi, I.,Zeballos, J.F.,Frankland, A.M.,Freid, E.,Gaches, P.,Gale, S.,Gallagher, R.,Galloni, M.,Gianella, M.,Gichira, A.,Gichua, M.,Gichuru, T.,Giles, A.,da Cruz, T.G.,Garcia, O.G.,Gould, S.,Gravendeel, B.,Guclu, C.,Hallaire, S.,Hardwick, K.,Harvey-Brown, Y.,Hasinger, O.,Hau, B.,Havens, K.,Havström, M.,Hearsum, J.,Heath, M.,Hector, A.,Heinrich, V.,Heinzman, R.,Hills, R.,Hofmeyr, M.,Holl, K.,Hribar, D.,Hudson, A.,Hybler, S.,Jaonasy, M.,Javan, S.,Jenkins, J.,Jin, X.H.,Kagane, W.,Wambui, D.K.,Karpate, Y.,Kildisheva, O.,Kindt, R.,Kool, A.,Kroll, C.,Kusuma, Y.,Laffusa, K.,LeBreton, T.,Libra, S.,Linatoc, A.,Lopez-Gallego, C.,Luke, Q.,Monterrojo, V.L.,Mahajan, G.,Malombe, I.,Mamani, J.,Martinelli, G.,Martinez, R.,Maruri-Aguilar, B.,Quirós, M.M.,McGinnis, D.,Meijer, W.,Milne, S.,Montemayor, M.,Morris, P.,Muema, M.,Mulwa, D.,Mungai, T.,Musa, M.,Muthoka, J.,Mutiso, T.,Mwamodenyi, J.,Nassar, A.,Neale, J.,Ng, A.,Ngumbau, V.,Niphadkar, M.,Njilima, F.,Noromalalaharivelo, R.,Novy, A.,O'Sullivan, F.,Orellana-Garcia, A.,Otieno, V.,Palodang, R.,Pascual, I.,Paslavskyi, M.,Paul, K.,Peach, J.,Leandro, N.P.,Polatin, C.,Pongen, Z.,Poulain, T.,Prieto, J.,Rabenantoandro, J.,Radhakrishnan, S.,Raharimampionona, J.,Rakotoarivony, F.,Rakotozafy, B.,Ralainaorina, T.,Ramahefamanana, N.,Ramanambohitra, N.,Ramirez, K.,Ramos, E.,Ratovoson, F.,Razafindranaivo, S.,Razafitsalama, L.,Reed, P.,Reid, L.,Reidy, D.,Ren, H.,Renner, C.,Reyes-Betancort, J.,Reynolds, C.,Ricalde, I.,Rivers, M.,Roger, R.,Ross, K.,Rowland, L.,Rowntree, J.,Roy, M.,Rui, V.J.,Sala, J.,San Martín, N.M.,Martínez, E.S.,Sanders, D.,Saviour, A.,Schoenenberger, N.,Schwarzer, U.,Silvia, A.,Simfukwe, E.,Singh, M.,Shah, T.,Shaw, N.,Smith, G.,Spears-Lebrun, L.,Stamenkovic, V.,Stuart-Smith, P.,Sujarwo, W.,Summerell, B.,Summers, A.,Szuter, M.,Tadey, M.,Taifour, H.,Tatayah, V.,Thomas, E.,Thompson, S.,Tilahimena, A.,Tilman, G.,Tobias, A.,Tomsovic, P.,Toohill, M.,Tornevall, H.,Traeholt, N.,Tsirizeni, M.,Tustin, M.,Tweheyo, C.,Ulian, T.,Vallejo, E.,van Midwoud, P.,Corzas, F.V.,Vedovato, L.,Veldman, S.,Vergeles, Y.,Lima, D.V.,Vovides, A.,Vroeg, P.,Walsh, J.,Watve, A.,Werden, L.,Westwood, M.,Whaley, O.,Wiecek, A.,Wilson, B.,Wolkis, D.,Wondu, H.,Jackson, P.W.,Yadrick, M, Jr.,Yan, W.,Zevit, P.,Carrero, J.Z
Publication year
2026
