Multiple ways to bend the curve of biodiversity loss: An analytical framework to support transformative change

• Published in: People and nature (Hoboken, N.J.) N.J.), 2024-10, Vol.6 (5), p.1945-1959
• Main Authors: Mehring, Marion, Brietzke, Anna S., Kleemann, Janina, Knauß, Stefan, Poßer, Christian, Schreiner, Vera, Wittmer, Heidi, Albert, Christian, Fürst, Christine, Grunewald, Karsten, Kolkmann, Michael, Lettenmaier, Ludwig, Sanders, Tanja G. M., Schleyer, Christian, Settele, Josef, Straka, Tanja M., Hauck, Jennifer
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: analytical framework; Biodiversity; Biodiversity loss; Case studies; conservation; Ecosystems; Germany; Social change; society; System theory; transformative change; transformative governance; Trends; Working groups
• ISSN: 2575-8314; 2575-8314
• DOI: 10.1002/pan3.10690

Humans are significantly impacting ecosystems worldwide. Scientists of the IPBES Global Assessment are therefore calling for a transformative change that includes all aspects of society in order to address drivers of biodiversity loss. However, these calls are rather , and thus it remains unclear how this goal can be achieved. With this conceptual contribution, we present an analytical framework for evaluating existing processes of societal change which are enhancing biodiversity, and we illustrate its application using three case studies in Germany. We argue that an empirical analysis provides insights into the causal mechanisms that initiate or promote change processes. In doing so, we can draw recommendations for future transformative change processes with regard to biodiversity conservation. In our analysis, we are dealing with questions concerning the following three areas: the drivers and context of societal change processes, the change processes themselves and finally their impacts. Subsequently, we generate recommendations on how to enhance and support the process of future societal transformation that aims at biodiversity conservation: (a) Retaining co‐benefits for biodiversity with goals that are primarily focussing on other objectives; (b) harmonising biodiversity use and conservation by turning conflicts into drivers of transformation; (c) prioritising biodiversity conservation by taking advantage of windows of opportunity. With our conceptual framework, we provide an analytical tool to learn from existing processes of societal change how to support future transformative change. This is an important step that contributes to the generation of relevant knowledge of promoting transformative change for nature and people. Read the free Plain Language Summary for this article on the Journal blog. Zusammenfassung 1. Der Mensch hat weltweit erhebliche Auswirkungen auf die Ökosysteme. Die Wissenschaftler*innen von IPBES fordern daher einen transformativen Wandel, der alle Aspekte der Gesellschaft einbezieht, um die Ursachen für den Verlust der biologischen Vielfalt zu bekämpfen. Allerdings ist noch immer unklar, wie dieses Ziel erreicht werden kann. 2. Mit diesem konzeptionellen Beitrag stellen wir einen analytischen Rahmen für die Bewertung von gesellschaftlichen Veränderungsprozessen vor, die die biologische Vielfalt fördern. Darüber hinaus illustrieren wir dessen Anwendung anhand von drei Fallstudien in Deutschland, denn eine empirische Analyse kann