Human-driven biodiversity loss has escalated dramatically over the past half-century, posing an unprecedented threat to the planet’s ecological balance and humanity’s well-being. In a landmark opinion article published in PLOS Biology, a distinguished team of international scholars, including Anne Larigauderie, former Executive Secretary of the Intergovernmental Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES), highlights the urgent need for transformative social and cultural shifts to halt and reverse nature’s decline. Their analysis is grounded in the comprehensive 2024 IPBES Transformative Change Assessment, a pioneering report co-created by nearly 100 scientists and holders of Indigenous and local knowledge worldwide. This interdisciplinary synthesis aims to serve as a critical tool in the successful implementation of the Global Biodiversity Framework, setting a strategic roadmap for the coming decades.
The assessment underscores that previous efforts to mitigate biodiversity loss have largely fallen short due to fundamental systemic flaws. Chief among them is the entrenched disconnection between society and nature, coupled with structures that perpetuate human domination over ecosystems as well as marginalized communities. This disconnect manifests in exploitative practices that prioritize short-term material gains while disregarding long-term ecological sustainability and social equity. Additionally, a disproportionate concentration of wealth and power in the hands of a minority exacerbates environmental degradation and social injustices, complicating collective action towards conservation objectives. These insights necessitate a paradigm shift away from conventional conservation models towards integrative approaches that recognize the inseparability of cultural, ecological, and economic systems.
At the heart of this transformation is the adoption of five interrelated strategies that collectively offer a pathway to the 2050 Global Vision for Biodiversity. The first strategy advocates for the deep integration of cultural contexts with ecological conservation and restoration efforts. Recognizing that local and Indigenous cultures embody essential knowledge systems and values, conservation initiatives must transition from technocratic, top-down approaches to participatory frameworks that amplify these perspectives. This shift not only enriches scientific understanding but also fosters stewardship practices that align with the diverse ways societies relate to their environments.
The second strategy calls for mainstreaming biodiversity considerations into the core economic sectors identified as principal drivers of environmental harm. Agriculture, fisheries, forestry, infrastructure development, and energy production are pivotal arenas where ecological degradation is most acute. By embedding biodiversity goals into the planning and operational protocols of these sectors, it becomes possible to align economic development with ecological integrity. This approach challenges entrenched models of sectoral planning that isolate environmental concerns and instead promotes cross-sectoral collaboration and innovation toward sustainability.
Equally critical is the transformation of financial systems and economic paradigms, encapsulated in the third strategy. The authors argue that prevailing definitions of economic progress, centered on gross domestic product and material accumulation, fail to account for ecological and social well-being. Redefining economic metrics to incorporate ecosystem health, social equity, and long-term resilience is essential for rerouting investment flows towards sustainable practices. Realizing this vision requires rethinking fiscal policies, developing green investment vehicles, and incentivizing businesses to adopt regenerative models.
Governance reforms constitute the fourth strategic pillar. The report highlights the imperative to reshape governmental institutions to be more inclusive, accountable, and adaptive. Current governance structures often lack mechanisms for meaningful participation, particularly from Indigenous peoples and marginalized communities whose knowledge and rights are critical for biodiversity conservation. Enhancing transparency, fostering multi-level governance networks, and institutionalizing adaptive policy frameworks that can respond to ecological uncertainties and social complexities are necessary steps to democratize biodiversity governance.
The final strategy focuses on societal value systems, emphasizing the power of social movements, education, and communication in catalyzing transformative change. Cultivating a cultural shift towards valuing biodiversity intrinsically and recognizing humanity’s interdependence with nature can drive collective action. Educational initiatives that integrate ecological literacy with ethical reflection, community engagement programs, and strategic communication campaigns can create societal momentum. This shift in values is posited not as a discrete goal but as a dynamic process that sustains the other four strategies.
The authors insist that transformative change is not only required but imminently attainable. They stress that every individual, organization, and community holds a stake and a potential role in creating impact. Even seemingly incremental actions can have cascading effects when they alter the societal perceptions, institutional arrangements, and practical routines that underlie biodiversity loss. This perspective reframes individual agency from isolated gestures to a critical component of systemic change, fostering an empowered and engaged global citizenry.
Karen O’Brien, a coauthor, reflects on the heterogeneity of societies and knowledge systems, emphasizing that no single theory can encapsulate transformative change globally. Instead, diverse epistemologies, including Indigenous and local knowledge systems, offer complementary insights into how change unfolds and how it can be navigated effectively. This pluralistic understanding underscores the need for genuine knowledge partnerships that respect different worldviews and facilitate co-created pathways to sustainability.
Arun Agrawal, another contributor, highlights the inherent link between biodiversity decline and social inequality. Economic actors who have historically reaped disproportionate benefits from environmentally harmful activities possess greater capacities to implement change. Yet, he argues that inclusive decision-making processes that engage a broader spectrum of stakeholders can unleash both agency and resources, fostering equitable and robust environmental governance. These insights imply that addressing biodiversity loss concurrently demands addressing social justice.
Lucas Garibaldi, coauthor and prominent ecologist, draws parallels with historical societal transformations such as the Industrial Revolution. While acknowledging the substantial environmental and social costs incurred during that epoch, he notes that it exemplifies society’s capacity for fundamental, system-wide change. However, the timeframe and trajectory of past transformations cannot be directly replicated. The urgency and scale of current environmental crises require an accelerated and integrative transformation—one that conserves and restores biodiversity while advancing equitable prosperity for all.
In synthesis, the 2024 IPBES Transformative Change Assessment articulates a compelling and rigorous blueprint for confronting one of the 21st century’s most pressing challenges. It integrates scientific analysis with diverse knowledge systems and lays out actionable strategies that encompass cultural, economic, political, and educational spheres. The report underscores that halting biodiversity loss is an ethical imperative intertwined with social justice and human well-being and calls for concerted action across all sectors of society.
The implications of this assessment reverberate beyond environmental science, touching global development agendas, economic reforms, and governance paradigms. By advocating for systemic alterations rather than piecemeal interventions, the authors chart a course toward a more just and sustainable future—one where humans can once again live in harmony with the natural world. Practical realization of this vision will require unwavering political will, innovative policymaking, and inclusive partnerships, mobilizing diverse actors at local, national, and global scales.
The inherent optimism woven through the assessment’s conclusions invites a renewed commitment among scientists, policymakers, activists, and citizens alike. Transformative change, while challenging and complex, is within reach if approached with the urgency, inclusivity, and breadth that the authors so eloquently articulate. This compelling vision beckons a new era of environmental stewardship predicated on respect, equity, and resilience.
For researchers, practitioners, and advocates engaged in biodiversity conservation, the IPBES report offers a foundational knowledge base and a strategic framework that transcends disciplinary boundaries. It highlights the interconnectedness of socio-ecological systems and charts pathways that acknowledge complexity without succumbing to paralysis. As humanity stands at a crossroads, the insights from this assessment provide both a roadmap and a rallying cry for transformative action.
Subject of Research: Not applicable
Article Title: Transformative change to address biodiversity loss is urgent and possible
News Publication Date: September 30, 2025
Web References: http://dx.doi.org/10.1371/journal.pbio.3003387
References: Larigauderie A, O’Brien K, Garibaldi LA, Agrawal A (2025) Transformative change to address biodiversity loss is urgent and possible. PLoS Biol 23(9): e3003387.
Image Credits: Larigauderie A, et al., 2025, PLOS Biology, CC-BY 4.0
Keywords: biodiversity loss, transformative change, conservation strategies, social-ecological systems, IPBES assessment, Global Biodiversity Framework, sustainability, Indigenous knowledge, economic reform, governance, environmental justice, ecological restoration
