Environmental, Social and Human Rights Training Delivered to The Global Biodiversity Standard (TGBS) Assessors

The Global Biodiversity Standard (TGBS) is a site-based certification scheme and mentoring programme that aims to improve biodiversity outcomes across ecosystem restoration projects, including rehabilitation such as agroforestry, and ecological restoration. The Standard was developed by technical partners including Botanic Gardens Conservation International (BGCI), Society for Ecological Restoration, CIFOR-ICRAF, Ecosia, the IUCN Species Survival Commission, the Plan Vivo Foundation, TRAFFIC, 1t.org and 15 hub partners.

The Standard is composed of eight criteria, against which sites are assessed by assessors based in Regional Hubs. Criterion 3 relates to working with local communities, and includes sub-attributes on stakeholder engagement, benefits distribution, knowledge enrichment, and sustainable economies.

The Global Biodiversity Standard and the Plan Vivo Foundation engaged The Landscapes and Livelihoods Group (TLLG) to train the first cohort of TGBS hub assessors on best practice integration of environmental and social safeguards and human rights in nature-based solution (NBS) projects. The training took place between April and November 2025, and included:

• Environmental, social and human rights in NBS projects (modules A1-A5), including:

  • Environmental and social management systems (ESMS) and safeguards overview

  • Identification of E&S risks and impacts and E&S procedures

  • Assessment of E&S risks and impacts

  • Management of E&S risks and impacts and development of safeguard plans

  • Monitoring and evaluation of E&S risks and impacts

• Thematic modules on some of the common risk areas, including:

  • Community and local stakeholder engagement

  • Free, Prior and Informed Consent (FPIC)

  • Grievance Redress Mechanisms

  • Access restrictions and livelihoods.

Sessions were all pre-recorded, accompanied with handouts, and included time for interactive and facilitated Q&A sessions to encourage learning and discuss practical case studies.

Client: The Global Biodiversity Standard

Location: International

Period: April – November 2025