Research priorities for a nature positive future

The paper was produced collaboratively between Oxford University’s Nature Positive Hub and The Biodiversity Consultancy – a research partnership formed to bridge the gap between business practice and conservation science, and deliver practical, prioritized research that delivers for both business and biodiversity.  

The authors first outline a conceptual model through which private sector contributions to a nature positive future could be realised. The model highlights four key areas where research is needed:  

• Strategic options – Setting strategic priorities and actions at the organizational and sectoral levels.  
• Implementation by companies – Designing and implementing business plans and actions to address impacts, protect and restore biodiversity.  
• Driving processes – Acting to influence the systemic drivers of business action (e.g. policy, finance) that determine the ‘rules of the game’.  
• Outcomes – Monitoring and reporting outcomes to ensure that action is effective, and scales to deliver outcomes in line with global biodiversity goals.  

A set of priority research questions that could address these uncertainties are then identified, and the authors call on researchers and businesses to work together to develop answers and solutions.  

Report authors were Thomas White, Talitha Bromwich, Ashley Bang, Leon Bennun, Josepth W. Bull, Michael Clark, E.J. Milner-Gulland, Graham Prescott, Malcolm Starkey, Sophus zu Ermgassen and Hollie Booth.