Workshop: Equipping researchers for international policy engagement

On 8 April, during our events in Montpellier to kick off the BiodivNBS projects, Biodiversa+ hosted a workshop to help researchers understand and engage with international policy processes. The focus was on the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) and other Multilateral Environmental Agreements (MEAs), especially in relation to nature-based solutions (NbS).

Key topics

The workshop covered several key topics:

• Bridging science and policy: A key message was the vital role of scientific knowledge in shaping effective biodiversity policy. While negotiations under the CBD and other MEAs are inherently political, science provides the foundation for sound decision-making. Platforms like IPBES play a crucial role in translating research into policy-relevant assessments that feed into processes such as the CBD’s SBSTTA. Researchers can contribute indirectly through IPBES, but direct engagement throughout the policy cycle is equally important.
• Understanding and navigating the CBD: CBD decisions are made by the Conference of the Parties (COP), with input from various scientific and technical bodies. Researchers can engage at different levels. Beginners can learn about CBD documents, programmes of work, and the Clearing House Mechanism (CHM), and network with national focal points. Advanced researchers can conduct CBD-sensitive research, respond to consultations, attend meetings, and support the implementation of the convention at national and regional levels, including engaging with National Biodiversity Strategies and Action Plans (NBSAPs). Experts can aim to collaborate and influence the agenda by publishing targeted scientific articles, providing relevant inputs to the secretariat, becoming members of working groups, organising side events, and developing research projects with end-user partners.
• Nature-based Solutions in MEAs: NbS are increasingly integrated within the CBD, notably in the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (KMGBF) under target 8 and target 11, but also beyond, into frameworks such as the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), the UN Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD), the Convention on Wetlands (Ramsar), the Convention on Migratory Species (CMS), the Convention on Trade in Endangered Species (CITES), and the New Urban Agenda. However, definitions and uses of NbS can vary across contexts. Scientific findings don’t always speak for themselves; how knowledge is framed and communicated can shape its impact, especially in negotiations where different interests are at play. Researchers need to be aware of this and navigate it strategically.

Key strategies

Several strategies emerged from the discussions:

• Build your foundation: Begin by developing a good understanding of the CBD’s structures, processes, and key decisions. Familiarise yourself with the SBSTTA, the COP cycle, and how MEAs intersect (for example, where Targets 8, 11, or 22 of the KMGBF apply). This knowledge lets you spot the most impactful moments and leverage points for your research.
• Translate science into policy tools: Distil complex findings into clear, concise, policy‑relevant outputs, such as policy briefs, infographics, or targeted webinars. Tailor each product to specific audiences (national focal points, negotiators, technical working groups, etc.) so that your evidence addresses their questions and timescales.
• Engage stakeholders early and often: Reach out to policymakers, practitioners, and community representatives from the project’s outset. Early dialogue builds trust, aligns expectations, and makes your research more responsive to real‑world needs. Offer capacity‑building workshops or training modules to equip stakeholders with the skills to apply your findings.
• Forge and nurture networks: Cultivate personal relationships with negotiators, civil‑society actors, and fellow researchers. Stay visible through side‑events, informal briefings, and regular check‑ins between COPs. Strong networks amplify your voice and provide ongoing intelligence about evolving policy priorities.
• Seize strategic moments: Mark your calendar for key policy milestones (SBSTTA meetings, COP plenaries, intersessional consultations, etc.) and plan contributions (presentations, written comments, informal discussions, etc.) well in advance. Persistent, proactive outreach around these events ensures your evidence reaches the right people at the right time. For instance, the next CBD COP in Yerevan in 2026 presents a significant opportunity, particularly for European projects.
• Collaborate for greater impact: Partner with other projects, NGOs, or institutions to pool expertise and resources. Joint initiatives raise visibility, avoid duplication, and send a more powerful, unified message to policymakers.
• Bridge global frameworks and local realities: Ground your work in on‑the‑ground case studies and community experiences. Showing how global targets translate into local action makes policy discussions more concrete and helps secure buy‑in from those implementing solutions.
• Commit the necessary time and resources: Real impact doesn’t happen overnight. Allocate sufficient time for relationship‑building, iterative dialogue, and adaptation of materials. Plan for sustained resource investment—staff hours, travel, translation—to navigate the political landscape effectively.
• Biodiversa+ and its partners offer a range of resources to help researchers engage more effectively, including training, guidance documents, connection to policy fora, and support for developing policy outputs. Initiatives like CO-OP4CBD, NetworkNature, and BioAgora also provide pathways for involvement.