To reverse the persistent trend of biodiversity loss to recovery of nature, nature policy needs to be combined with policies on climate mitigation, and food and energy systems must be reformed. This is one of the conclusions in the report Exploring nature-positive pathways. The report explores various pathways to achieve global goals for biodiversity, from a global perspective. The study shows what the pathways towards a nature-inclusive world may look like, and what governments can do to build on the efforts already made by civil society actors for the benefit of nature.

A quantitative analysis of solution-oriented scenarios shows that ambitious conservation efforts alone will not be enough to bend the curve of biodiversity loss, and might even increase trade-offs between conservation and other sustainability goals, such as food security. To achieve biodiversity, climate and food security goals together, ambitious conservation strategies need to be complemented by broader sustainability measures. These measures include climate mitigation in line with the 1.5 °C objective of the UNFCCC, reduction in meat and dairy consumption and food waste, and making agricultural production more sustainable. Consumption changes, in particular, are key to avoid trade-offs in combined biodiversity, climate and food security policy agendas.

The objective of a nature-positive future is defined as reversing nature loss to achieve a net positive improvement by 2030 (i.e. resulting in more biodiversity and nature in 2030 than we have today), with full recovery by 2050 (requiring large-scale restoration of nature). This report explores what nature-positive pathways could mean in three specific configurations of societal actors and nature: rural landscapes, supply chains, and cities. The configurations are networks where non-state actors and state actors on sub-national level and national governments are considered together with different types of nature (e.g. agricultural lands, wild areas, urban parks). The analysis shows that options for nature-positive pathways are available to the non-state and sub-national state actors in these configurations. This points to the possibilities for national governments to develop policy strategies aimed at actors in these specific contexts to enable transformative change.  

To achieve the CBD 2050 vision of living in harmony with nature as well as the new goals and targets for 2030, the new global framework on biodiversity governance needs to support national governments as well as the whole of society. While the importance of whole-of-society approaches for biodiversity is increasingly being recognised, this still needs further attention on an international level, as an integral part of CBD’s implementation mechanisms. This may include strengthening the Action Agenda for Nature and People and supporting national action agendas. In this respect, high-level champions can play an important role, also in connecting national and international level action. In addition, aligning with international, national and sub-national goals and policies on climate, food security, sustainable production and consumption and other SDGs and integrating them in nature-positive development strategies is essential.