Biodiversity loss is a critical global challenge, threatening ecosystems, human health, and livelihoods worldwide. As the international community unites to develop multilateral solutions, international standards offer valuable tools to transform commitments into action.

ISO standards play a crucial role in supporting global efforts to combat biodiversity loss and implement the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF). Here's how ISO contributes:

Comprehensive Coverage

ISO has identified 549 relevant standards across 94 technical committees that support various aspects of the GBF's 23 Global Targets. 

Distribution of Relevant ISO standards by Global Goals of the GBF

Note that each ISO standard may contribute to more than one GBF goal or target.

Interconnected Solutions

ISO standards address the complex, interconnected nature of biodiversity challenges.

Number of relevant ISO standards: Thematic distribution of the global GBF targets

This chart illustrates the relationships between Thematic Areas and Targets. Filter by Global Goals to focus on specific areas of interest.

Supporting Implementation

ISO standards provide technical guidance to effectively implement GBF commitments. By using ISO standards, policymakers and businesses can:

• Save time and resources in developing solutions
• Rely on state-of-the-art practices regularly updated by international experts
• Ensure alignment with global best practices without creating unnecessary trade barriers

Taking action with ISO 17298

A cornerstone of ISO’s contribution to the Global Biodiversity Framework, ISO 17298 Biodiversity in strategy and operations helps organizations of all types and sizes turn biodiversity commitments into concrete action. It provides a practical framework to understand how activities depend on and impact nature, integrate biodiversity into core strategies and operations, and develop credible biodiversity action plans. By aligning with global frameworks such as the GBF, ISO 17298 supports risk reduction, resilience and nature-positive decision-making across sectors.

Watch the video below to discover how ISO 17298 can help organizations take action for nature.

Key Contributions

ISO standards offer guidelines for:

• Sustainable practices in industries like tourism, agriculture, and fisheries
• Managing environmental challenges such as invasive species, climate change, and pollution
• Biodiversity monitoring and environmental management systems
• Sustainable financing and green debt instruments
• Circular economy practices and life cycle assessments

Future Developments

ISO/TC 331 Biodiversity is developing new standards specifically focused on biodiversity issues, including monitoring, genetic diversity assessment, and impact of industries on ecosystems. These upcoming standards will further support both public and private sector organizations in achieving the GBF's 2030 targets and 2050 goals.

Get Involved

For more information on relevant ISO standards that can help address biodiversity loss, or to participate in the development of ISO standards, contact the ISO member in your country or the sustainability unit at the ISO Central Secretariat.