Transforming Policy to Restore Biodiversity

The scientific evidence is clear: Biodiversity is declining faster than ever before. The biodiversity crisis is not only about nature; it is also about people. The current state of biodiversity reflects how societies produce, consume, and govern natural resources. Human actions are both the cause of biodiversity loss and the key to reversing it.

Governance as a Lever for Change

Environmental governance and policy play a critical role in setting the parameters in which values, behaviours, attitudes and decisions about biodiversity are shaped at all levels. Policies at the EU and global level are therefore critical levers for unlocking transformative changes in the ways that decisions about biodiversity are made, to improve outcomes for biodiversity and social wellbeing.

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Five Knowledge Products for Policy Makers

Our latest analysis, Knowledge products, including synthesis of the applicability of behaviour science and intersectionality for prioritising biodiversity into relevant EU and global processes, addresses to synthesise the results of the PLANET4B project in the form of five knowledge products for policy audiences. The knowledge products provide both sector-specific policy options for improving biodiversity prioritisation in decision-making, and options for strengthening the use of behavioural science and intersectionality in EU and global policy processes.

Transformative change for biodiversity requires coordinated action by multiple actors across system levels. Actions include adjusting incentives, redesigning institutions, and shifting societal intent. Crucially, biodiversity-related actions should be grounded in behavioural insights, inclusive governance, and cross-sectoral coherence to achieve equitable and lasting positive change for biodiversity.

Science-Based Measures for Key Biodiversity-Affecting Sectors

If you would like to find out what the science-based policy recommendations are for the key sectors influencing biodiversity – for example:

• how the EU can support agroecology and territorial economies in the global trade sector through its investment decisions;
• which policy tools play a key role in protecting seed diversity;
• how EU regulation can promote biodiversity by setting minimum requirements for sustainability, durability and repairability under the Ecodesign legislation;
• why strengthening biodiversity data and tools in the private financial sector is essential;

and how we can implement transformative change to protect biodiversity –

download the latest analysis by UNEP-WCMC.