New global standard aims to fix flawed tree planting programs that harm biodiversity

Tree planting has become the go-to solution for environmental problems, with governments, corporations, and charities announcing ambitious reforestation targets in the millions and billions. While forests do provide crucial benefits—storing carbon, protecting wildlife, and supporting communities—many well-intentioned planting efforts are actually backfiring.

The problem lies in the details. Research reveals that nearly half of all land pledged under major restoration initiatives like the Bonn Challenge consists of ecologically poor monoculture plantations rather than diverse forests. Even worse, a 2024 study found that much of the land earmarked for tree planting in Africa is actually savanna—an ecosystem where trees don’t belong and can disrupt the natural balance that supports native wildlife.

“It started to occur to us that there was potentially a problem here, particularly given the size of the pledges that were being made,” says Paul Smith of Botanic Gardens Conservation International. The organization recognized that ambitious targets were running ahead of ecological wisdom, with many projects looking impressive on paper while delivering little real environmental benefit.

To address these concerns, conservationists launched The Global Biodiversity Standard (TGBS) in 2024. Unlike existing certification programs that focus primarily on tree numbers, TGBS evaluates whether restoration projects actually improve biodiversity through measurable ecological outcomes. The standard uses both satellite monitoring and ground-based surveys to assess project success, and it’s designed to be affordable for smaller community-based initiatives. This new approach could help ensure that the billions of dollars flowing into reforestation actually help rather than harm the planet’s ecosystems.