Date & time: 21 April 2026, 13:00-17:00 (UTC+0, Azores local time)
Format: Hybrid (Azores and online)
On 21 April 2026, Biodiversa+ will host its Science-Policy Forum on Biodiversity and Transformative Change: Science-Policy Pathways for Europe. The forum will bring together researchers, policymakers and practitioners to explore how transformative change can move from concept to implementation in support of biodiversity across Europe and the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (KMGBF).
From assessment to action
Building on insights from the IPBES Transformative Change Assessment, the forum will explore how systemic levers such as governance, finance, justice frameworks and behavioural change can support implementation in Europe.
Discussions will also examine how EU policy instruments can enable transformative pathways, and how to navigate tensions between biodiversity objectives and sectors such as agriculture, forestry, energy and the bioeconomy.
A central focus of the forum will be the social dimensions of biodiversity transformation, including equity, inclusion, and the impacts of policy decisions on communities and livelihoods. Participants will reflect on how research can better anticipate trade-offs, support conflict-sensitive governance and contribute to actionable solutions.
This event is scheduled for the day before the BiodivTransform kick-off meeting (22 April), where we’ll explore our newly funded projects and hear the latest insights in biodiversity and transformative change research. Don’t forget to register for the Kick-off as well!
13:00 – 13:15 Opening & welcome words, by Magnus Tannerfeldt (co-chair of Biodiversa+, FORMAS)
13:15 – 13:30 Keynote – Conceptualisation of transformative change: Insights from the IPBES assessment, by Karen O’Brien (co-chair of the IPBES Transformative Change Assessment, University of Oslo)
13:30 – 14:20
- How can transformative change levers be used to implement the KMGBF?, by Camille Guiball (CBD Scientific Officer, FRB)
- Justice and equity in biodiversity transformation: From principles to practices, by Amanda Loeffen (CEO, Human Right 2 Water)
- Pathways for a nexus-approach: Biodiversity, climate, and pollution in transformative change, by Paula Harrison (Principal Natural Capital Scientist, UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology)
- Transforming economic and financial systems for biodiversity, by Cengiz Akandil (Business and Biodiversity Expert in IPBES, University of Zurich)
14:20 – 14:30 Q&A
14:35 – 15:00 Break
15:00 – 15:20 Leveraging EU policy instruments for transformative change for biodiversity?, by Bastian Bertzky (Policy Officer, DG Research & Innovation, European Commission) & Bénédicte Blaudeau (Policy Officer, DG Environment, European Commission)
15:20 – 16:05 Panel Discussion 1 | Navigating tensions in biodiversity transformation: Trade-offs, backlash and social justice
- Socio-economic tensions between biodiversity goals and sectors like bioeconomy, agriculture, forestry and energy
- Social justice dimensions, including how transformative policies may affect local communities, rural livelihoods or Indigenous rights
- Strategies for conflict-sensitive governance, inclusive dialogue and co-creation of solutions
- The role of research, policy and civil society in anticipating and mitigating these tensions
15:05 – 16:50 Panel Discussion 2 | Prospects from the BiodivTransform projects: Research frontiers in biodiversity and transformative change
- Conceptual and methodological advances in understanding transformative change
- Best practices of implementing interdisciplinary approaches for understanding transformative change
- Empirical studies on systemic levers (e.g. governance, finance, values, behavior)
- Integration of pluralistic values, Indigenous knowledge, and justice frameworks
- Case studies demonstrating how research can influence policy or practice
16:50 – 17:00 Concluding words, by Osman Tikansak (FORMAS)
