Drawing lessons from the BIODEV2030 method to mainstream biodiversity

From 2019 to 2022, we tested an innovative method for mainstreaming biodiversity into the economic sectors of 16 countries with a variety of socioeconomic and environmental contexts. This method is based on (1) a dialogue between all society’s stakeholders, in order to (2) lead to voluntary sector commitments to reduce pressures on biodiversity (3) based on objectives grounded in science.

WHY BUILD ON THE BIODEV2030 METHOD?

The pilot nature of the BIODEV2030 project means its knowhow can be built on. Here, “building on” means analysing the BIODEV2030 mainstreaming method stage by stage. It therefore means drawing the lessons from the implementation of the BIODEV2030 method to make sure it is properly replicated and also to share and promote the specific features and tools (science-grounded approach coupled with multi-stakeholder dialogue) proper to this method.

Finally, the lessons drawn will serve other stakeholders wishing to implement the global biodiveristy framework thanks to a BIODEV2030 type mainstreaming method.

HOW TO BUILD ON THE BIODEV2030 METHOD?

Building on knowledge means building on the results of the project but also, and above all, on the process of the BIODEV2030’s implementation method. The implementing partners (IUCN & WWF France) and the project beneficiaries (biodiversity focal points and public and private sector stakeholders and civil society) are brought into dialogue to share their experience.

Through exchange of the accounts from stakeholders on the specific features of the implementation of the BIODEV2030 method in each of the 16 countries, we can formulate recommendations, alert each other to the pitfalls to be avoided, and highlight the good practices to be replicated.

WHAT ASPECTS OF THE BIODEV2030 METHOD CAN WE BUILD ON?

5 themes of interest have been identified, each corresponding to a key component of the project. By combining the lessons learned and recommendations issuing from these 5 building blocks, the BIODEV2030 method can be successfully replicated for other economic sectors or in other countries.

Infography : Dorothée de Collasson (do2co)

HOW SHOULD WE PRESENT THE LESSONS LEARNED FROM THE BIODEV2030 METHOD?

We have approached building on the BIODEV2030 method with the aim to provide insight and the keys to success to other institutions that may wish to develop a similar approach to mainstreaming biodiversity.

We have thus chosen to present the lessons learned from BIODEV2030 in a collection of 5 practical guides corresponding to the 5 key components of the project. They are designed to support project managers in the implementation of each component by detailing the stages to be followed and also, and above all, by issuing a number of recommendations.

These guides are complemented by a set of other documents (publications or videos) that further explore some of the stages of the BIODEV2030 method through scientific analysis or directly from the testimonies of the project’s stakeholders. 

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Deciding on priorities for action requires an objective assessment of the discussions by producing data on threats to biodiversity and their links to economic sectors and by discussing the results. To initiate this multi-stakeholder dialogue on stakes in biodiversity we have identified two success criteria: 1. Produce a scientifically credible assessment of threats legitimate in the eyes of stakeholders and relevant for decision-makers and 2. Support the ownership of the assessment’s results and engage in dialogue.

Download the practical guide #1

This publication provides tools and recommendations about how to make a thorough and legetimate assessment of the main threats to biodiversity. It presents and analyses the strengths and limitations of the combination of the 3 methods (literature review, STAR metric, experts interviews) used to rank the threats to biodiversity and link them to the economic sectors.

Read & download the publication

Mainstreaming biodiversity requires inter-sectoral coordination and close cooperation between stakeholders to strengthen links and actions between sectors and institutions. To organise a constructive dialogue between stakeholders we have identified two success criteria: 1. Establish a multi-stakeholder dialogue platform supported by the government and 2. Set up a constructive dialogue through a multi-faceted approach to favour decision making

Download the practical guide #2

This video illustrates the benefits of the BIODEV2030 method for stakeholders through direct testimonies from national biodiversity focal points, private actors and representatives of the financial sector who participated in the multi-stakeholder dialogue. This 10-minute report from Benin and Tunisia shows concrete examples of commitments made in the cotton, forestry and cement industries to change their practices and thus reduce their impact on biodiversity.

In order to introduce more effective economic policies and strategies for mainstreaming biodiversity, we need to understand the links between the sector or sub-sector and biodiversity throughout the value chain. To identify the drivers of ambitious and realistic changes in practices to protect biodiversity we identified two main criteria: 1. carry out an in-depth analysis of priority sub-sectors and 2. propose avenues for voluntary commitments.

Download the practical guide #3

Conservation and sustainable use of nature can be achieved through the deployment of voluntary commitments that effectively mobilise individual and collective action. These profound changes in practices require that the whole of society, and economic actors in particular, work together. They must strengthen their cooperation and commit to a series of measures related to and based on the current state of scientific knowledge. In order to do that we identified two main criteria: 1. define the relevant strategy and approach for a dialogue and 2. bring together all relevant sectoral actors and ensure their informed participation.

Download the practical guide #4

In Mozambique, BIODEV2030 has mobilised champion companies from sugar cane & fishing sector. Their good productive practices enable increased income, conservation & restoration of biodiversity.
During multi-stakeholder dialogue, this companies have served as an anchor for others to engage in the concept of voluntary commitments for biodiversity.

[French subtitles only]

In Senegal, BIODEV2030 used an innovative and tailored approach to mobilisation and dialogue based on serious games, led by a consortium of national and international consultants. This facilitation technique is entirely based on a participative approach that works on collective intelligence. Through games, the participants become aware of and discuss the environmental problems they encounter and their causes. They can then explore new solutions to a given problem and imagine their impact on biodiversity. This approach allows participants to collectively and individually make voluntary commitments according to their level of responsibility and the possible actions available to them while seeing the outcome.

The voluntary approach to biodiversity mainstreaming by sectoral stakeholders complements and reinforces the range of measures available to public institutions (legislation, subsidies, investments) to preserve and restore biodiversity. This coordinated joint action by governments and private stakeholders will be needed to achieve the 23 targets in the Global Biodiversity Framework.

We were able to identify two success criteria for formulating robust commitments:1. define shared objectives and produce detailed voluntary commitments and 2. take into account the characteristics of the sub-sectors and regions.

Download the practical guide #5

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