TGBS certifies six restoration sites in first year
The Global Biodiversity Standard (TGBS), launched in 2024 by Botanic Gardens Conservation International and partners, has certified six restoration sites in its first year, with 15 regional hubs now mentoring projects across five continents. The scheme verifies measurable biodiversity gains through remote sensing analysis and expert field visits, offering an affordable route to assurance for smaller sites – and added confidence for funders and destinations reliant on nature‑based tourism.
In Africa, Tooro Botanical Gardens assessed the Jane Goodall Institute’s Budongo-Bugoma wildlife corridor in Uganda, the first project to achieve advanced tier certification, noting increases in native species and improved habitat connectivity alongside community livelihood initiatives. TGBS awards standard, advanced or premium tiers, is not a tradeable credit, and may complement carbon markets by evidencing biodiversity outcomes; the programme plans to scale by having each hub assess around 10 projects while engaging policymakers on alignment with other standards.
Source: News Mongabay
