Innovative governance for biodiversity

The Innovative Governance for Biodiversity event will address the urgent challenges of nature degradation, biodiversity loss and ecosystem fragmentation in Europe, bringing together leaders, policymakers, researchers and practitioners to explore governance approaches that can accelerate ecological restoration and biodiversity recovery. The programme will feature keynote contributions from representatives of European Union institutions, among others, highlighting policy perspectives and collaborative initiatives that support nature-positive transitions across Europe.

Within this context, the event, organised by the GoDigiBioS partners, will also spotlight the project, which aims to drive transformative change towards a nature-positive economy and society by leveraging new digital and emerging technologies. GoDigiBioS focuses on tackling the underlying and indirect drivers of biodiversity loss - such as unsustainable consumption patterns, norms and values - while pursuing a double decoupling: separating consumption from excessive natural resource use, and satisfaction from material consumption. A dedicated panel with GoDigiBioS partners will discuss how the project’s multidisciplinary consortium is working to advance innovative governance models, digital solutions and collaborative approaches that support biodiversity protection and long-term ecosystem resilience.

Within the project, there are four Transformative Labs (T-Labs) that address the challenge of integrating biodiversity loss, digitalisation and governance through the construction of collectively owned and safe spaces in contexts where processes of change are ongoing. Their pilot sites are located in Matosinhos (PT), Llobregat Delta (ES) and Ruse Province (BG). The project is open to replication pilots, some of which will be featured at the event. During the event, all cases will be presented.

Participants will gain insights into how system dynamics approaches can support innovative governance by improving understanding of complex interactions between policies, ecosystems and stakeholders. Through dialogue between policymakers, networks and project partners, the event will highlight practical pathways for strengthening collaboration, improving decision-making and enhancing the overall impact of biodiversity governance and restoration efforts in Europe.