One of the new dimensions of the post-2020 biodiversity framework is its emphasis on whole of society approaches for biodiversity policy. This side-event discusses the whole of society approach to biodiversity governance as essential for realising transformative change. Building on increasing action for nature from non-state and sub-national actors (e.g. cities, regions, companies, NGOs, and indigenous peoples) provides an important opportunity for realizing transformative change. Many societal actors worldwide are already mobilizing and taking action for biodiversity. This is providing a hopeful sign, but there is also still a long way to go to harness the contribution of whole of society to its full potential.

This side event presents the results of a new PBL report “Exploring nature positive pathways” that takes the whole of society approach as starting point. The report sees the many societal initiatives that are emerging as seeds of transformative change and non-state and sub-national actors as (new and) important agents of change. The report asks the question how to bend the curve for biodiversity in three configurations of non-state, sub-national and state actors: rural landscapes, supply chains, and cities. The report shows how nature positive development pathways can look like, what actions are required and, building on whole of society initiatives, how they can be further enabled. It emphasizes that especially multiple values of nature and justice need to be taken into account in exploring pathways towards nature positive. Based on the analysis of nature positive pathways in rural landscapes, supply chains and cities, the report provides insights in how national and international governments can build on and enable a whole of society approach to achieve ambitious biodiversity goals.

The side event will discuss the findings of the report with representatives from cities (ICLEI), business (Capitals Coalition) and landscape-initiatives (Satoyama). A presentation on the report will be followed by a panel discussion and discussion with the audience.