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

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. 

Further information about the session

Open for Abstract submission: Yes, for oral 10 minute presentations

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