Certify a Biodiversity Project
PV Nature
Pioneering projects that protect nature
PV Nature is Plan Vivo’s Biodiversity Standard for projects led by communities focused on restoring and protecting nature.
The Standard is designed to help locally driven projects show that their work is making a real, measurable difference for ecosystems, while also opening the door to fair and equitable funding.
When a project becomes PV Nature certified, it can issue and sell Plan Vivo Biodiversity Certificates. The income helps to fund a project’s operational costs and ensures the local participants are recognised for their role in conserving crucial ecosystems and reversing biodiversity loss.
Quick Links
Understand more about PV Nature certification and what’s involved.
About PV Nature
At the heart of PV Nature is a simple idea: the people who live and work in specific landscapes should lead how they are cared for. PV Nature projects are built around local knowledge and priorities, with clear requirements for community consultation and benefit sharing. This helps make sure conservation and restoration efforts are rooted in trust and long-term stewardship.
PV Nature gives project teams practical tools and support to track biodiversity change over time. Our digital monitoring systems and step-by-step guidance are designed to be used by local teams, helping them understand, manage, and share their impact with confidence.
Through PV Nature certification, projects gain a recognised way to show that their work meets high standards for both nature and people. This makes it easier to connect with buyers and funders who are looking to support credible, community-led biodiversity projects and invest in lasting, positive change.
ACES are excited and honoured to be one of the first PV Nature projects under development. PV Nature was the obvious choice for us as it embeds the highest integrity principles of project design including genuine community engagement and inclusion.
Types of projects eligible for certification
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Conservation
Projects focused on protecting and maintaining existing ecosystems and biodiversity.
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Restoration
Projects focused on bringing back or improving degraded ecosystems and biodiversity.
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Both
Projects focused on both restoring degraded ecosystems and protecting existing ecosystems.
The Registration Process
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01Submit your PIN
A Project Idea Note (PIN) outlines the main elements of a proposed project, describing the project’s goals, activities and expected benefits, and how it meets requirements under the relevant Plan Vivo Standard.
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02Submit your PDD
The Project Design Document (PDD) is an in-depth document which describes how a project will be implemented and monitored, including environmental and social safeguards, methodologies, and technical specifications.
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03Validation & Certification
Projects are then third-party audited or ‘validated’. This ensures the project meets the requirements, as outlined in the respective documents. Once a validation is complete a project is then officially Plan Vivo certified.
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04Reporting & Verification
Annual Reports are submitted to Plan Vivo, including updates on biodiversity monitoring, project activity progress and any PDD changes. Third party verifications take place every five years or less, ensuring compliance and best practice.
Eligibility & Costs
PV Nature has specific criteria that all projects must meet before beginning the certification process. A project’s eligibility includes requirements related to land status, tenure and user rights, project activities and interventions, as well as the engagement and inclusion of local communities.
It is also important to understand the associated costs of certification before beginning the certification journey.
Documents
Plan Vivo’s detailed PV Nature documentation, including PV Nature’s requirements, methodology, and supporting manuals and guidance, clearly outline what is required for a project to become PV Nature certified.
Validation & Verification
Third-party validation and verification are a key part of PV Nature certification and ongoing compliance. Approved independent auditors oversee the the process. Validation occurs prior to a project becoming certified, with verification audits required at least every five years, to ensure continued best practice.
Data Analytic Providers
Plan Vivo approves specific Data Analytic Providers to help PV Nature projects measure and report their biodiversity results accurately and transparently, in line with the PV Nature Methodology.
