ISO launches first global biodiversity standard

October 08, 2025

Kigali, Rwanda — October 7, 2025: The International Organization for Standardization (ISO) has officially introduced ISO 17298, the world’s first international standard designed to guide organizations in taking tangible action for biodiversity protection. The announcement was made during the ISO Annual Meeting 2025 held in Kigali, Rwanda.

A new global framework for biodiversity management

The ISO 17298: Biodiversity for Organizations – Guidelines and Requirements standard offers a practical and adaptable framework for businesses and institutions to evaluate their biodiversity impacts, dependencies, risks, and opportunities. It empowers organizations to integrate nature-positive practices into their governance, operations, and sustainability strategies.

Why biodiversity matters for business

Biodiversity—the variety of life that sustains ecosystems and economies—is fundamental to human survival. However, the accelerating loss of nature poses significant challenges for organizations worldwide. Diminishing biodiversity can lead to rising operational costs, supply chain disruptions, regulatory risks, and damage to corporate reputation.
By implementing ISO 17298, organizations can minimize risks, enhance resilience, attract sustainable finance, and build stakeholder trust through transparent and science-based biodiversity action.

Rwanda’s commitment to nature and sustainable growth

According to the Ministry of Environment, about 65% of Rwandans depend directly on biodiversity-related livelihoods, such as farming, forestry, livestock, and tourism. Yet, nearly one in four species in Rwanda faces extinction without urgent intervention.

Dr. Bernadette Arakwiye, Rwanda’s Minister of Environment, emphasized that biodiversity conservation is a shared responsibility across all sectors of society:

“Let us live in harmony with nature, because in protecting biodiversity, we are ultimately protecting ourselves.”

Kigali: a global platform for sustainability leadership

As the host of ISO’s 2025 Annual Meeting, Kigali is showcasing Rwanda’s leadership in sustainable development. With a population of over 13 million, the nation has proven that economic progress and environmental preservation can coexist. Rwanda has:

• Expanded its forest cover to 30.4%,
• Safeguarded over 400 animal species and 1,000 bird species, and
• Restored ecosystems once degraded by human activity.

Bridging ambition and action: ISO 17298’s global impact

Noelia Garcia Nebra, ISO’s Head of Sustainability and Partnerships, highlighted the transformative potential of the new standard:

“Until now, there has been no globally agreed framework for organizations to systematically integrate biodiversity into their strategies and risk management. ISO 17298 provides that roadmap—embedding biodiversity into governance, accountability, and transparency.”

A turning point for global biodiversity action

By establishing a unified global benchmark, ISO 17298 moves the world from commitment to concrete action, ensuring measurable progress toward halting and reversing biodiversity loss.

For Rwanda, protecting biodiversity is not only an environmental priority but a moral obligation and cultural identity. The nation’s proactive stance demonstrates how even small countries can lead global sustainability efforts, proving that economic prosperity and ecological stewardship can thrive together.