Advancing social science dimensions on biodiversity to spur transformative policy and action

Introduction to the session

The Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services states that transformative change is urgent. It's necessary to address the global interconnected crises related to biodiversity loss and the underlying causes of nature’s decline and bring about a just and sustainable world in harmony with nature. However, spurring transformative policy and action is no straightforward task, and requires new types of approaches and knowledge. Social sciences can help in this task, by reframing the issue of biodiversity and asking powerful questions from a wide range of starting points. 

In this session we will discuss what applying lenses from social sciences perspectives can reveal about biodiversity related problems and what societal conditions ultimately drive loss of biodiversity and impede action. Through contributions from social scientists and from practitioners this session aims to demonstrate how social science dimensions on biodiversity can help to lay the ground for transformative change in ways that are useful for policy and action. Since the input of social sciences has repeatedly been pronounced as important for biodiversity policy and practice, here we present an opportunity to delve deeper into these opportunities via talks, joint discussions and a concluding research – policy – practice panel. 

Session programme

13:30: Introduction to the session by organizers

13:35: Framing talk: On the imbalanced structures in biodiversity research and how to handle them
Marie Stenseke, Unit for Human Geography, Department of Economy and Society, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg 

13:45: Speed talks

Do more data really lead to better biodiversity protection? A social science perspective from ENABLElocal
Simona Zvěřinová, Global Change Research Institute, Czech Academy of Sciences, Brno 

Strategies for initiating and accelerating transformative change towards biodiversity: a cross-case analysis of nine European case studies
Katarina Haugen et al Unit for Human Geography, Department of Economy and Society, School of Business, Economics and Law, University of Gothenburg

Setting the stage for multispecies justice in nature-based solutions
Misagh Mottaghi et al Department of People and Society, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU), Alnarp and Department of Architecture and Built Environment, Lund University

Crafting’ agroecological ‘valuations’ in Sweden
Aditi Bisen, Lund University 

Biodiversity and human wellbeing linkages from restored forests in India and Nepal
Anamika Menon et al, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU), Uppsala 

Both resource and heritage: A relational approach to forest owners’ decision-making
Hanna Ekström, Department of Political Science, Lund University and Centre for Environmental and Climate Science, Lund University

How people collaborate for reconnecting to, with or in nature explored through pluralistic narratives
Romina Martin et al Stockholm Resilience Centre, Stockholm University  

14:30: Discussion and questions  

14:45: Closing panel discussion - Advancing social science dimensions on biodiversity to spur transformative policy and action 

Further information about the session

Keywords: Social dimensions, social science, transformative change, biodiversity 
Language: English
Time and venue: 13:30-15:00, Natrium.
Organisers:

• Stephen Woroniecki (WWT) and Maria Ölund (Wexsus, GU), The Focali research network 
• Tuija Hilding-Rydevik and Johanna Tangnäs, SLU Swedish Biodiversity Centre

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 15 applies to all five strategies.