The Standard
Global Rangelands Standard
The Global Rangelands Standard is a globally applicable framework for defining, supporting and recognising responsible rangeland stewardship. It translates broad sustainability ambitions for rangelands into practical expectations that can guide action across diverse ecological, social, cultural and production contexts.
Designed to reflect the diversity of rangeland systems worldwide, the Standard can be applied across different forms of tenure, governance and management. It takes a whole-system approach, recognising the connections between rangeland health, people and livelihoods, livestock and wildlife, and the governance systems that shape their use.
The Standard is structured around six interconnected Principles:
- Effective Management
- Responsible Land Governance and Tenure
- Land Management and Ecosystem Health
- Resilient Livelihoods
- Rights, Equity & Inclusion
- Animal Welfare
Each Principle is supported by related Themes and Requirements that set out the expectations for responsible stewardship. Together, they provide a common basis for understanding, assessing and strengthening stewardship across diverse rangeland systems.
Version 0.2 – Foundation Standard
Launched at UNCCD COP17 in Mongolia in August 2026, Version 0.2 establishes the Foundation Standard for stewardship of the world’s rangelands.
It reflects years of stakeholder consultation, technical review and refinement. To date, 15 consultation and engagement activities have generated more than 630 comments and feedback points, leading to substantial changes in the Standard’s scope, structure and requirements.
Version 0.2 provides the core global normative framework on which further guidance, implementation tools and application pathways will be built. It marks an important milestone in the Standard’s development and will continue to be tested, reviewed and refined before progressing through the RSC’s formal approval process towards Version 1.0.
Explore Version 0.2
Global Rangelands Standard V0.2 – Foundation Standard
The complete normative Standard, setting out the Principles, Themes and Requirements for responsible rangeland stewardship, together with supporting guidance.
→ View the Foundation Standard
Global Rangelands Standard V0.2 – High-Level Summary
An accessible overview of the Standard, its purpose, structure, application and next steps.
Global Rangelands Standard V0.2 – Consultation and Development Report
An overview of how the Standard has been developed and how consultation and review have shaped Version 0.2, including the Record of Consultation & Engagement and Consultation Change Log.
→ View the Consultation and Development Report (Coming soon)
How can the Standard be used?
The Standard is designed to support different approaches to recognising and advancing responsible rangeland stewardship. Depending on the context, it may be used as:
- a reference framework for defining good rangeland stewardship;
- a practical guide for improving management and learning over time;
- a benchmarking tool to compare, align or strengthen other standards and programmes;
- a basis for monitoring, reporting, landscape programmes or investment frameworks;
- a tool to support policy alignment, responsible sourcing, markets and finance; or
- a foundation for independent verification or certification.
Further guidance on different application pathways will be developed and tested as the wider RSC system evolves.
How the Standard fits within the wider RSC system
The Global Rangelands Standard sits at the centre of RSC’s wider sustainability system, supported by complementary approaches to monitoring, ecosystem services assessment, assurance and implementation.
Global Rangelands Standard
What does responsible stewardship require?
Sets the Principles, Themes and Requirements.
Global Rangeland Health Monitoring Framework
How is rangeland health monitored over time?
Provides a framework for monitoring condition and change.
Rangeland Ecosystem Services Impact Assessment (RESIA)
How can ecosystem-service outcomes be demonstrated?
Provides an approach for assessing and validating ecosystem-service outcomes.
Together, these components provide the foundations for credible implementation, monitoring and recognition across the wider RSC system.
What happens next?
Version 0.2 marks the beginning of the next phase of testing, learning and development.
This will include further technical review and stakeholder engagement; development of supporting tools and country-level guidance; further development of monitoring and assurance systems; species-specific animal welfare annexes; and pilot testing in different rangeland contexts.
Learning from this work will inform further refinement before the Standard proceeds through the RSC’s formal approval process and Version 1.0 is released.
Get involved
RSC welcomes continued feedback on Version 0.2 and engagement in the next phase of development, testing and piloting.
We particularly welcome input from pastoralists and producer organisations, Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities, rangeland and subject-matter experts, governments, civil society organisations and actors across rangeland value chains.
Have feedback on Version 0.2?
Interested in contributing to future development, testing or piloting?
You can also contact us at consultation@rangelandstewardship.org.
