As BioAgora evolves in scope and sophistication over the course of its implementation, the project generates an increasing number of important research outputs that pave the way towards its central goal - a European Science Service to support the implementation of the EU Biodiversity Strategy for 2030. Several of those deliverables are now showcased in a new project brochure that summarises activities relating to analysisng the landscape of actors, networks and policies at the biodiversity science-policy interface (SPI).
At its core, the Science Service for Biodiversity (SSBD) is being set up to:
- answer knowledge requests from policy-makers and build an evidence base on biodiversity
- create and support active networks of actors on a number of topics related to biodiversity and sustainability
- transform relations and processes within and between science, policy and society
BioAgora's second work package revolves around a deeper understanding of existing processes and paradigms that can and should be accounted for and harnessed in the successful and long-term deployment of the SSBD in pursuit of the aforementioned goals. The new brochure zooms in on how the efforts to do so were consolidated in the drafting of the following four deliverables:
1. Actors in the science-policy-society interface (D2.1)
This analysis involved the mapping of the social relations occurring among organisations in the science-policy-society interface for biodiversity. EU organisations and other intergovernmental organisations were observed to be the most connected actors in the network. However, actors such as science-based networks, private and public interest organisations and organisations dedicated to the management of ecological units have an important role to play (e.g. as knowledge producers, brokers and users) in the dialogue and co-creation of solutions for the implementation of the 2030 EU Biodiversity Strategy.
Useful outputs:
- a map and a database of central organisations and networks operating in the science-policy-society interface, categorised by types (e.g. science, business, public interest group)
- a scientific article synthesising the results
2. Policy instruments supporting the Biodiversity Strategy for 2030 (D2.2)
Policy instruments supported by 15 organisations to address the targets of the 2030 EU Biodiversity Strategy were in focus in this deliverable. The instruments most engaged with were determined to be social & information-based (e.g. knowledge & information creation, cooperation & networks, corporate social responsibility, certification education/training) and legal and regulatory instruments (legislation, standards & regulations, planning instruments). Challenges to the successful implementation of such instruments are related to regulatory, financial, and informational aspects.
Useful outputs:
- an overview of policy instruments supporting the 2030 EU Biodiversity Strategy
- an analytical framework for policy analysis with clear definitions of key concepts such as policy areas, policy approaches and policy instruments
3. Transformative potential of actor networks (D2.3)
With this document, BioAgora introduced an assessment framework which formal and informal social networks of actors at the science-policy-society interface can use to reflect on their ability to drive transformative change. Its qualitative, probing questions are based on the literature on networks, boundary work and transformation. The questions are organised according to a theory of change approach: motivation and mission of the network, composition and structure, internal processes, activities, external processes, outputs, outcomes and impact in terms of bending the curve of biodiversity loss.
Useful outputs:
- a framework to be used by networks of scientists, policy-makers and other societal actors to reflect on their transformative potential by combining and navigating three pathways: collaborate, challenge and disrupt
4. Coherence of EU biodiversity and sectoral policies (D2.4)
A starting point in the exploration of this topic was the identification of mismatches and synergies between biodiversity and sectoral policies, namely: agriculture, forestry, climate and energy. The analysis was coupled with a study of policy coherence at the local level for selected cases. While agricultural, forest and climate EU policies were observed to exhibit substantial alignment with the 2030 Biodiversity Strategy, energy policy documents present several trade-offs. Alignment of strategic general goals at the EU level, however, does not necessarily mean a synergistic implementation in practice. The coherence of sectoral and conservation policies is essential for creating long-term socio-economic viability, enabling sectors to develop more effective solutions to interlinked environmental and socio-economic challenges.
Useful outputs:
- an overview of how EU sectoral policies address and integrate biodiversity
- methodological insights on conducting a policy analysis
The brochure can be accessed in full here. You can familiarise yourself with the rest of BioAgora's library of deliverables and their insights on this page.