As regular readers of this column (assuming there are any) will know (see my blogs in October 2020 and January 2021), BGCI and the botanical community has become increasingly concerned about tree-planting programmes, carried out primarily for carbon sequestration and human livelihoods, that do very little for biodiversity and – in some cases – are actually detrimental to biodiversity and native species. Our involvement in this issue has comprised discussions with, and attempts to influence, a wide range of large scale tree planting initiatives, including the IUCN Bonn Challenge Secretariat, The Nature Conservancy, the Forestry Stewardship Council, 1t.org, Trillion Trees, the Global Evergreening Alliance, Crowther Labs, the World Agroforestry Centre, Ecosia, Plan Vivo and various corporate entities. In all cases, we have encouraged tree-planting organisations to incorporate native tree species and, where possible, threatened native tree species into their tree planting programmes by supplying them with data and access to expertise. Through this process it has become apparent that, unlike carbon and livelihoods, there are few financial mechanisms that reward positive impacts on biodiversity, and therefore there is little incentive to incorporate native species into planting programmes. Furthermore, the imperatives to sequester carbon as fast as possible and/or to quickly deliver income benefits through fast growing cash crops means that exotic tree species are almost invariably favoured over native species.

It has also become apparent in our discussions with these organisations, including certification organisations such as Gold Standard, Forest Stewardship Council and Plan Vivo, that no widely accessible international biodiversity certification exists. Furthermore, in our discussions with some potential corporate partners, it has become clear that, in lieu of financial incentives, certification recognising positive impacts on biodiversity would be highly valued. In addition, like BGCI’s existing botanic garden accreditation scheme, this could be a combined mentoring/certification scheme that incorporates training opportunities, provision of advice, etc.

“The botanical community’s access to high quality tree data and expertise, our global network of botanical expertise and our neutral political status means that we have high scientific credibility and reputational advantages in this space and, inarguably, our community is the best qualified network in the world to set up an international biodiversity certification scheme specific to tree planting and plant diversity.”

Our recent co-authorship of the 10 Golden Rules paper and co-hosting of the Reforestation Conference with Kew and CIFOR-ICRAF has enhanced our profile in this area, and the 10 Golden Rules paper makes an excellent basis for such a certification scheme. Furthermore, BGCI’s experience with conservation accreditation, our website’s functionality and our existing network of ecological restoration practitioners (particularly through the Ecological Restoration Alliance) means we could gather momentum on this very quickly if we commit the necessary resources to its development.

“I am delighted to say, that the concept of an international biodiversity certification/standard – developed by the botanical community – has been endorsed enthusiastically by BGCI’s Board and, on July 19th, by BGCI’s International Advisory Council.”

The next steps are to develop a detailed methodology, seek the support of the wider biodiversity community, and announce the development of the scheme at the UNFCCC COP26 in November. We will then develop and test the methodology in real world conditions over the coming year, with a formal launch planned for COP-27.

We believe that this will be the first international biodiversity certification/standard specific to biodiversity and backed up with comprehensive data and expertise. The certification will be site specific, and the part I am most excited about is the ground survey element, which will mobilise (and empower) members of our network to assess and influence decision-making about biodiversity on the ground in their local context. The Certification will also serve as a mechanism for sharing our data, knowledge and skills in a longer term mentoring and support role to help ensure better outcomes on the ground.

Watch this space. More details to follow!