Conference: Mainstreaming Biodiversity in Policy Making
We are pleased to announce that our upcoming Conference and Public Panels on “Mainstreaming Biodiversity in Policy Making”, taking place on June 4th and 5th, 2025, in Brussels. This two-day event brings together nine EU-funded research projects—CLEVER, BioValue, Rainforest, Bamboo, Bedrock, BioAgora, Bionext, BioTraces, and TRANSPATH—which are working collectively to generate actionable knowledge on how European economies can thrive while reducing their impact on biodiversity both within the EU and globally. Together with policy makers, scientists, business leaders, and civil society representatives,the conference aims to explore practical strategies for integrating biodiversity into decision-making, particularly in relation to EU initiatives like the Regulation on Deforestation-Free Products.
Day 1 – June 4 (In-person only)
The first day (09:00 to 17:30 CET) will feature a full programme of sessions at the science-policy interface covering a range of tropical issues, including methods for assessing biodiversity impacts, developing effective conservation pathways, and advancing policy through transformative planning and governance approaches. We will also address the integration of knowledge across science, policy, and society, highlighting the role of collaborative networks in driving systemic change for biodiversity. The agenda includes presentations, interactive workshops, and discussions designed to foster cross-sector collaboration and enhance policy relevance.
In-person registration is now closed.
Day 2 – June 5 (In person and Publicly livestreamed)
The second day (09:00 to 13:30 CET) will present a synthesis of key insights from Day 1, followed by panel discussions focused on mainstreaming biodiversity into local and regional policy-making within the EU, and on strategies for reducing the EU’s global biodiversity footprint. These sessions aim to promote open and inclusive dialogue on the role of biodiversity in shaping sustainable and resilient policies across Europe and beyond.
- Panel I: How to mainstream biodiversity for policy making at local/regional scale in the EU – BIOVALUE
Nature and biodiversity need to be made endogenous to sectoral policies, with spatial planning enabling the territorialization, and therefore an integrated governance, of sectoral policies. It is therefore an ideal governance mechanism to promote an integrated alignment and coherence of sectoral policies to enhance the value of biodiversity.
Panelists: Humberto Rosa (DG ENV), Christian Albert (Leibniz Universität Hannover), Gilles Doignon (DG R&I), Henrique Pereira (iDIV). Moderator: Maria Partidario (IST UniLisboa)
- Panel II: Reducing EU footprints in the world – CLEVER
The goal of this panel debate is to discuss alternative solutions (and related challenges) for the EU and its trading partners to continue beneficial trade relationships while reducing the undesirable impacts of trade on the environment and biodiversity, in particular.
Panelists: Luiza Bruscato (RTRS), Gilles Doignon (DG R&I), Louise Simon (Climate & Company), Alberto Schnell (IUCN), Anne Teller (Formerly DG ENV). Moderator: Jan Börner (Uni Bonn)
Online attendance (Day 2 only) is open to all and will include a live stream of the full programme on June 5th from 09:00 to 13:30 CET. Register for online attendance.
We look forward to your participation in this collaborative and forward-looking event.
The Horizon Europe Cluster Transformative Change for Biodiversity
The Horizon Europe Cluster on Transformative Change for Biodiversity is a strategic initiative within the EU’s Horizon Europe research and innovation programme. It aims to address the root causes of biodiversity loss through systemic, societal transformation, focusing on integrating biodiversity considerations into various sectors by promoting fundamental changes in economic, social, and governance structures. The cluster supports interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary research projects that explore innovative pathways for halting and reversing biodiversity decline, emphasising the need for inclusive, equity-driven approaches. This collective effort supports the EU Biodiversity Strategy for 2030 and contributes to the broader global agenda for transformative change in biodiversity conservation.
Launched in October 2021, the cluster has since fostered collaboration among multiple projects to maximise impact and facilitate knowledge sharing. The cluster originally included 11 Horizon Europe-funded projects, and it is now expanding with new projects funded by the European Commission on the same topics. These projects collectively work towards developing actionable knowledge and tools to implement transformative changes across Europe and beyond.
For more information, you can visit the official Horizon Europe Cluster 6 page: Cluster 6: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment.
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