ISO 17620:2025

This document specifies a process to design, implement, maintain and monitor biodiversity net gain (BNG) outcomes throughout the life cycle of spatially explicit development projects, until the expected outcome on biodiversity has been realized as proportionate to the project.

This document provides a framework to demonstrate that a project:

is aligned with the vision, goals and targets of the Convention on Biological Diversity and the Global Biodiversity Framework.^[23]

This document covers terrestrial and freshwater habitats, and intertidal habitats down to the mean low water mark, as the process and methods to deliver net gain for marine habitats are different from the approach set out here. It does not cover the detailed requirements associated with the delivery of biodiversity enhancements or management.

This document is applicable for projects that affect biodiversity and those with limited or no impact on biodiversity, as well as projects aiming to achieve BNG either onsite or offsite, or both.

BNG can be applicable to any sector of industry, including residential, mixed-use, energy, water, extractive industry, transport, communications agriculture, forestry and infrastructure.