The International Organization for Standardization (ISO) has recently published the first international standard on biodiversity — ISO 17298. This standard is considered a foundational framework to help organizations worldwide move from commitments to concrete actions in protecting, restoring, and sustainably using natural resources.

Amid an ecological crisis and biodiversity loss occurring at an unprecedented pace, the launch of ISO 17298: Biodiversity for organizations — Guidelines and requirements marks a significant milestone.

The standard provides a comprehensive framework enabling organizations to assess impacts, dependencies, risks, and opportunities related to biodiversity across their entire value chain. This edition will further elaborate on key aspects, including terminology standards, biodiversity net gain, and characteristics of products based on native species. These standards are expected to establish a technical foundation for credible, scalable, and transparent biodiversity actions globally.

ISO 17298 is designed for organizations of all types and sizes — from small enterprises and public authorities to multinational corporations. The standard aims to help stakeholders identify and quantify their impacts on nature and integrate biodiversity conservation into strategic planning and operational activities. This represents not only a technical advancement but also a new governance approach that positions nature protection as an essential component of modern corporate management.

According to ISO, biodiversity underpins all life and serves as a pillar of the global economy. However, the current rate of biodiversity decline poses significant risks to supply chains, operational costs, and organizational reputation. ISO 17298 is expected to help businesses identify and mitigate these risks early while opening opportunities to access green finance, enhance transparency, and strengthen public trust.

Ms. Noelia Garcia Nebra, ISO Head of Sustainability and Partnerships, stated that many organizations are willing to act on biodiversity but lack a common benchmark for measurement and guidance. ISO 17298 fills this gap and serves as a “compass” enabling businesses to move from awareness to scientifically grounded and verifiable action.

The new standard is also aligned with several existing international frameworks and initiatives, such as ISO 14001 on environmental management, ISO 26000 on social responsibility, the Taskforce on Nature-related Financial Disclosures (TNFD), and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This alignment allows organizations to integrate ISO 17298 into their existing management systems, promoting consistency in environmental impact measurement, reporting, and evaluation.

Mr. Marco Rossi, ISO Director of Standardization, emphasized that ISO 17298 is not merely a technical rulebook but also a platform to advance a nature-positive economy. Standardizing biodiversity measurement and reporting will enhance data transparency and comparability, thereby expanding opportunities for cooperation, investment, and innovation in the green sector.

ISO 17298 was developed by ISO Technical Committee ISO/TC 331 on Biodiversity, with contributions from experts from more than 60 countries. It is the first standard issued by the committee and marks the beginning of further initiatives, including the development of sector-specific vocabulary, guidance on biodiversity net gain, and classification systems for products based on native species.