You can download a DRM-free copy of this standard here.
What is BSI Flex 705 v1.0 about?
Natural capital projects typically focus on landscape interventions that generate credits for sale on commercial markets. These projects directly influence the natural environment, shaping our natural capital and the ecosystem services we rely on. Because these services underpin our economy and society, natural capital projects can affect nearby and wider communities.
BSI Flex 705 v1.0, part of a wider Nature Investment Standard (NIS) framework, sets out practical, proportionate good‑practice recommendations for suppliers of nature‑based projects on how to engage effectively with local communities and deliver benefits in ways that strengthen trust, legitimacy, and long‑term project success.
It builds on the overarching principles set out in the overarching principles standard, BSI Flex 701 v2.0.
The standard is being released as a version one for public consultation.
What does the standard cover?
The standard gives recommendations for natural capital projects with regard to community engagement and benefits.
BSI Flex 705 v1.0 covers:
- community mapping, coordination of engagement, co-production, legitimacy, prior consent, consensus building, grievance mechanisms, and resourcing of participatory engagement;
- communication, transparency, and accountability;
- community impact assessment and mitigation and benefit sharing; and
- monitoring and evaluation of community impacts, engagement, and benefit delivery.
Who is this code of practice for?
It’s intended for use by suppliers of nature-based credits.
It might be of interest to:
- communities;
- other nature market participants;
- market intermediaries, including the different codes/standards/schemes;
- buyers of nature-based credits;
- investors in nature-based projects;
- service providers;
- environmental non-government organizations;
- regulators;
- policy developers; and
- academics.
Download a free copy of the standard here >
Public consultation
BSI Flex 705 v1.0 is an initial version positioned as a basis for further review, discussion, and improvement.
This public consultation represents an important opportunity for stakeholders to shape the direction, scope, clarity, and practical application of the next iteration of the standard.
Have your say by 19 May 2026 >
Nature Investment Standards Hub
As part of the Nature Investment Standards Programme, we established an online hub for the development of a new consensus-based standards framework designed to overcome barriers and build trust in investing in nature. If you’d like to join the hub, please sign up here.