From forests to oceans and beyond: Can supply-chain transparency and biodiversity indicators drive more sustainable production practices?

Introduction to the session

This session explores the role of supply-chain transparency in curbing biodiversity loss and promoting sustainable production practices. Advances in technology and data analytics are improving the ability to trace commodities like timber and food, while regulations such as the EU Deforestation Regulation mandate greater supply-chain traceability and transparency. However, the effectiveness of transparency in driving change at scale remains uncertain. 

The session will feature presentations of recent work of researchers and initiatives including Trase, World Forest ID, and the Swedish Life Cycle Center on methods and data for improving transparency and measuring biodiversity impacts in timber and agri-food supply chains. Experts will discuss challenges in translating transparency into actionable strategies that incentivise biodiversity-friendly practices. By fostering interdisciplinary collaboration, the session aims to bridge the gap between knowledge and action, ensuring that global supply chains actively support biodiversity conservation.

Session Programme

11:00: Session introduction & overview 
Martin Persson, Chalmers University of Technology

11:03: A global life-cycle inventory database of deforestation area and emissions for agricultural products
Martin Persson, Chalmers University of Technology
Co-authors: Chandrakant Singh, Michael Lathuilliere, Thomas Kastner 

11:15: Linking biodiversity impacts to commodity supply chains: The case of Brazilian soy
Florian Gollnow, Stockholm environment Institute and Trase
Co-authors: Jonathan Green & Alison Eyre

11:27: New listings, persistent demands: quantifying illegality risks for CITES Annex II tree species in Brazil
Caroline Franca, Chalmers University of Technology 
Co-authors: Martin Persson, Nelson Barrios, Vinicius Costa, Vinicius Silgueiro, Dalton Cardoso, Camila Damasceno, Jose Roquette, A. Varezzi, C. Mello, Jose Janducci, Marcondes Coelho-Junior & Carlos Souza Jr. 

11:39: Improving supply chain transparency via chemistry-based tracing
Jakub Truszkowski, Chalmers University of Technology & World Forest ID
Co-authors: Victor Deklerck, Charlotte Smith & Jade Saunders 

11:51: Scales of Impact: Life Cycle Assessment, biodiversity pressures and the seafood sector
Sara Hornborg, RISE
Co-author: Kristina Bergman 

12:03: Panel discussion and Q&A
oderated by Maria Ölund 

12:25: Poster Pitches

Abstracts accepted for poster presentation:

• What is the optimal land use to secure and promote biodiversity at organic beef farms in Sweden?
  Annemieke Gärdenäs, University of Gothenburg
  Urban Emanuelsson, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
• Development of a planetary boundary-based Biodiversity scale
  Karin Morell, Department of Food Research and Innovation, RISE Research Institutes of Sweden
  Elin Einarson Lindvall, Department of Food Research and Innovation, RISE Research Institutes of Sweden
  Robin Lindström, Coop Sweden AB
  Matthias Feist, FoodFacts Sweden AB
  Matilda Löfgren, Department of Food Research and Innovation, RISE Research Institutes of Sweden
• eDNA meets LCA - Linking monitoring with decision-making through high-throughput field-data for biodiversity impacts in agriculture
  Lindsay Holsen, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU), Uppsala,
  Elin Röös, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU), Uppsala
  Karolina Jörgensen, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU), Uppsala
  Rasmus Einarsson, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU), Uppsala
  Eveline J. Krab, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU), Uppsala 

Further information about the session

Keywords: Transparency; traceability; supply-chains; biodiversity footprinting

Language: English

Time and venue: 11:00-12:30, Wallenbergsalen.

Organisers:

• Alexandre Antonelli, Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew and University of Gothenburg
• Caroline Franca, Chalmers University of Technology 
• Toby Gardner, Stockholm environment Institute and Trase
• Florian Gollnow, Stockholm environment Institute and Trase
• Sara Hornborg, RISE
• Torsten Krause, Lund University
• Martin Persson, Chalmers University of Technology
• Jakub Truszkowski, Chalmers University of Technology & World Forest ID
• Maria Ölund; Forest, Climate & Livelihoods Research Network - FOCALI

Strategy for transformative change in focus for the session

IPBES highlights 5 complementary key strategies for transformative change: From conserving vital places to shifting values. Together these create pathways to just and sustainable futures. Learn more: IPBES Transformative Change Assessment: Chapter 5. Realizing a sustainable world for nature and people: transformative strategies, actions and roles for all

As indicated in the illustration below, session 6 focuses mainly on strategy 2: Drive systemic change in the sectors most responsible for nature’s decline