News | Understanding and strengthening the concept of transformative change
When discussing major challenges like biodiversity loss, climate change and social injustices, fixing each separately isn’t enough. We need to change how we deal with the natural world altogether – we need transformative change. But what exactly is this change and why is it crucial for our environment and us?
In the BIONEXT project, our researchers dug deep into this idea of transformative change and how it connects the biodiversity nexus. They reviewed 118 scientific papers focusing on transformative change created in scientific communities working on the nexus elements of water, food, energy, transport, biodiversity, climate and/or health. This is what they found out about how transformative change is understood.
Buzzwords, biodiversity on the sideline and the need for justice
Transformative change as a concept is quickly gaining popularity, with experts recognizing the need to break from business-as-usual for sustainability. However, the term’s varied interpretations, from large societal shifts to small changes, risk turning it into a buzzword that maintains the current state rather than driving meaningful change. In addition, there are less clear and consistent ideas of what needs to change and how these changes can take place or be triggered. In conclusion, there is a lack of concreteness with the term.
Concerning the relationship between transformative change and the biodiversity nexus, it was found that biodiversity is rarely the focal point of attention in transformative change literature. Mostly, it is mentioned as a side issue. This leads to a situation where the root causes of biodiversity loss aren’t considered and solutions to restore biodiversity fall short. Even in situations where biodiversity is included as a main focus point, the active role of biodiversity, nature and ecosystems in creating social-ecological systems is often overlooked. Moreover, even in situations where the nexus interlinkages were acknowledged, the nexus itself was rarely explicitly addressed.
The last main finding was that justice and inclusivity are certainly understood as important parts of transformative change, but most research fails to provide detailed insight into what this truly means.
Deepening the understanding of transformative change
After the literature review was conducted, our researchers formulated four recommendations that can support research to create a more robust understanding of transformative change in the biodiversity nexus.
Firstly, research needs to utilize a multi-system approach to connect transformative change and the biodiversity nexus. Researchers also need to provide concrete descriptions of what transformative change entails; it is important to be clear about how you interpret the term, what systems need to change, and if possible, how these changes are to take place. Research needs to empower and amplify the plurality of voices and perspectives and use power as a way to empower currently marginalized voices. Lastly, we need to acknowledge the needs and rights of non-human natures: research must consider nature and biodiversity as actors with rights and needs.
Read the whole report to learn more about transformative change.
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