News Published: 29 July 2024

On July 22nd 2024, 291 participants from 56 countries joined a webinar hosted by The Global Biodiversity Standard (TGBS) partners, in collaboration with the Society for Ecological Restoration (SER) and Botanic Gardens Conservation International (BGCI). This event coincides with the release of our highly anticipated manual, “The Global Biodiversity Standard: Manual for Assessment and Best Practices,” available since 18th June.

Missed it? Don’t worry, you can watch it again now.

BGCI/SER Webinar: Advancing biodiversity outcomes: Unveiling The Global Biodiversity Standard Manual for assessment and best practices (July 2024)

The webinar explored the unique features and advantages of TGBS, a site-based certification methodology designed to assess the impacts of tree planting, restoration, and sustainable agricultural initiatives on biodiversity. TGBS stands apart by focusing on comprehensive biodiversity assessments, incorporating both ecosystem integrity and social benefits. Key discussions included the innovative use of field surveys, the practical application of the ecosystem integrity and social benefits wheel, and the development of a novel protection system.

Participants gained insights into how TGBS uses remote-sensing and ground surveys conducted by ‘TGBS hubs’ in Brazil, Hong Kong (China), India, Jordan, Kenya, Madagascar, Malaysia, Peru, and Uganda, located in well-established biodiversity and ecological restoration organisations. The webinar also showcased the assessment of management practices in line with the UN Decade Standards of Practice to guide ecosystem restoration and the Restoration Project Information Sharing Framework.

Our expert panel provided an in-depth overview of the manual, demonstrating how the assessment methodology works and how sites will score against the standard’s eight criteria. The webinar aimed to equip conservationists, ecologists, and environmental managers with the knowledge and tools needed to implement these best practices and achieve certification under TGBS.

You can catch up on all previous BGCI webinars here.