Joshua Berger’s Post

Metric that Matters: A single metric to lower biodiversity impact 📊🌱 How can research on 8,950 Dutch dairy farms provide insights for New Zealand? A new study published in NPJ Biodiversity, builds a single integrated biodiversity index from farm-level KPIs. Yes, one #metric that could be used to track progress towards global conservation goals. Some of the key findings are: • Imported feed drives the biggest biodiversity loss — In the Dutch dairy sector, imported #feed, palm oil-based, accounted for ~60% of land-use change impacts. This is outweighing domestic environmental issues (such as domestic nutrient losses). • Safeguards accompany the index — Applying clear “red-line” limits on key environmental and social factors could reduce sector-wide impacts by ~94%, showing #prevention is more powerful than offsetting. Like the Netherlands, New Zealand has a strong agricultural base, global export reach, and the challenge of balancing production with biodiversity goals. To reach #NaturePositve goals we should look beyond the farm gate. 🐄🌏 If embedded global supply chain impacts are material, apply the KPIs safeguards linked to midpoint pressures, alongside an overarching index for tracking biodiversity outcomes. The link to full article for the deep divers amongst us: https://lnkd.in/gvwQ-xgc Shoutout to Joe W Bull Isobel Taylor Anne de Valença Ruth IJspeert Pablo Modernel and Joseph Poore

New paper published 📣 📰 Researchers Alison Hutchinson, Anthony Zito and Philip McGowan explore the Global Biodiversity Framework and how it can move toward meaningful action in biodiversity governance 🌏

Human health, nature health, and organisational health are inseparable. As the authors emphasise, we must “link policy and transdisciplinary practice at the health‑environment nexus” to address biodiversity loss and the growing burden of environmental disease. David Nogues Bravo PIK - Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research

Biodiversity Credits 101: Why They Are Not "the New Carbon" As "nature-positive" goals become central to corporate strategy, biodiversity credits are gaining traction. But how are they different from the carbon credits we know? The key concept to understand is non-fungibility. While one ton of CO2 is the same everywhere, biodiversity is unique and place-specific. A restored ecosystem in one location cannot truly compensate for damage to a unique habitat elsewhere. Because of this fundamental difference, the primary use case for voluntary biodiversity credits is for companies to make a "nature-positive contribution" rather than a direct "offsetting" claim. Companies purchase these credits to support vital conservation efforts, often in regions relevant to their supply chains, as a core part of their ESG commitments. Understanding this "contribution vs. compensation" logic is the first step to navigating this exciting and emerging market with integrity. #BiodiversityCredits #NaturePositive #ESG #ConservationFinance #Sustainability https://lnkd.in/egCZVccX

A recent study has introduced a new framework to help the agricultural sector address biodiversity impacts more effectively. Using data from nearly 9,000 Dutch dairy farms, the research highlights that while combined biodiversity scores can track overall progress, they may overlook significant local impacts. To mitigate this, the study proposes safeguards—quantitative thresholds for key environmental pressures—to ensure balanced progress across multiple impact areas. The findings emphasize the importance of using multiple criteria and practical safeguards to avoid unintended consequences, supporting more targeted and effective interventions aligned with global biodiversity goals.

Reflections on Southeast Asia’s Biodiversity Crisis: A Must-Read Review. I recently read the latest review article by Struebig et al. (2025) published in Nature Reviews Biodiversity, and I must say it is one of the most comprehensive, evidence-based, and action-oriented pieces I’ve encountered on the state of biodiversity in Southeast Asia. The authors carefully dissect the region’s complex socio-ecological landscape, outlining how multiple, often overlapping drivers from large-scale land-use change, deforestation, and infrastructure development, to unsustainable hunting practices, climate change, and invasive species are collectively pushing our rich biodiversity closer to collapse. What I find particularly valuable is how the article moves beyond diagnosis, offering a roadmap of context-specific solutions that acknowledge both the ecological urgency and the socio-economic realities on the ground. From strengthening community-led forest management and reforming protected area governance, to implementing nature-based climate solutions, reducing demand for wildlife trade, and developing credible biodiversity credit systems the review underscores that there is no one-size-fits-all solution, but rather a pressing need for integrated, inclusive, and interdisciplinary action. The paper also highlights the importance of equitable participation especially the role of Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities and the need to bridge global policy frameworks like the Kunming–Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (KM-GBF) with local realities. Technological innovations such as AI, remote sensing, and biodiversity monitoring tools hold great promise, but must be paired with local knowledge and ethical engagement to ensure long-term success. As someone working in the field of conservation and sustainability, this paper reinforces how crucial it is that we, as practitioners and researchers, shift our focus from merely identifying what’s wrong, to actively participating in designing, testing, and scaling solutions that work ecologically, socially, and politically. 🔗 You can access the full article here: https://lnkd.in/gSSWsfN4 Highly recommended for those working in biodiversity, forestry, environmental governance, and climate policy across tropical landscapes.

A look at how "Citizen Science" is helping oil palm growers identify, monitor and protect biodiversity in their concessions. "Research shows that in well-managed agricultural landscapes, wildlife populations can be sustained. That’s why understanding how animals move, where they live, and how their populations are changing is critical to developing adaptive management strategies that mitigate the negative impacts of palm oil plantations on biodiversity." Emily Meijaard Borneo Futures Sdn Bhd Erik Meijaard #sustainability #biodiversity #palmoil #citizenscience https://lnkd.in/e82AjCQE

𝑵𝒂𝒕𝒖𝒓𝒆'𝒔 𝑳𝒂𝒔𝒕 𝑺𝒕𝒂𝒏𝒅: 𝑨𝒔𝒊𝒂'𝒔 𝑹𝒂𝒄𝒆 𝒕𝒐 𝑷𝒓𝒐𝒕𝒆𝒄𝒕 𝑰𝒕𝒔 𝑩𝒊𝒐𝒅𝒊𝒗𝒆𝒓𝒔𝒊𝒕𝒚. Asia, home to four of the world's 36 biodiversity hotspots and seven of the 17 "megadiverse" countries, is facing a rapid decline in species, driven by habitat destruction from agriculture, logging, and infrastructure. Southeast Asia is a mega hotspot for deforestation which could lead to a 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗷𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝗯𝗶𝗼𝗱𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗹𝗼𝘀𝘀𝗲𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝟭𝟯–𝟴𝟱% 𝗯𝘆 𝟮𝟭𝟬𝟬, according to State & Conservation of Biodiversity report. Despite its rich biodiversity, Asia is underperforming in conservation. In the published study on Communications Biology, only 40% of Asian countries achieved the target of a minimum of 17% coverage for protected areas by 2020. Asia was the most underperforming continent, 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗷𝘂𝘀𝘁 𝟭𝟯.𝟮% 𝗼𝗳 𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗯𝗲𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗱𝗲𝘀𝗶𝗴𝗻𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝗮𝘀 𝗮 𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝘁𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗮 in 2020, compared to the global average of 15.2%. Based on current trends, outlook for meeting the 30% target outlined in the Global Biodiversity Framework, looks bleak without significant action. This is particularly concerning through the lens of potential economic losses as over half of the world's GDP is dependent on nature, rising to 63% in Asia-Pacific. In response, Nature-Based Solutions (NbS) are gaining traction. Growing investment from organizations like the Asian Development Bank and the World Economic Forum is driving this shift. The WEF estimates that investing in nature-positive opportunities in Asia-Pacific could generate an annual $4.3 trillion and create 232 million jobs by 2030. Notable NbS solutions in Asia include: 🌱𝗥𝗲𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻: Pakistan's Ten Billion Tree Tsunami Programme, which has created over 1.4 million jobs while restoring forests. 🌱𝗨𝗿𝗯𝗮𝗻 𝗴𝗿𝗲𝗲𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴: Bangkok & Singapore using parks and native vegetation to mitigate urban flooding and runoff. 🌱𝗖𝗼𝗮𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗹 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝘁𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻: Indonesia and the Philippines are restoring mangroves and using natural materials to defend against erosion and sea-level rise. 🌱𝗦𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝗮𝗴𝗿𝗶𝗰𝘂𝗹𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲: Climate-resilient farming in Thailand. The focus on biodiversity at COP30 is prominent, as the Brazil summit is positioned as the “Nature COP,” linking biodiversity intrinsically with the fight against climate change. We’ll also be bringing curated speakers and experts on Biodiversity & Nature-based Solutions at AlterCOP 30 Singapore, Australia, Japan & Malaysia, to initiate ground-up conversations and biodiversity actions. Learn more: www.altercop.com -- 📸 Ash W. from AECOM speaking on Biodiversity day at AlterCOP 29 last year! -- 🔔Subscribe to our Youtube channel www.youtube.com/@altercop 🚨Save The Dates: AlterCOP 30 Singapore is happening on 10-22 Nov 2025 ✏️ Subscribe to our newsletter to be notified when bookings are open! https://lnkd.in/gkNVMbv2

The European Biodiversity Partnership Biodiversa+, in collaboration with #EuropaBON and other large-scale initiatives, is advancing efforts to harmonise biodiversity monitoring protocols and integrate biodiversity data across regions and scales. 📘 Their latest recommendations document presents: -Key strategies for harmonising protocols -Flexible frameworks for integrating local and regional efforts -The importance of sharing both raw data and Essential Biodiversity Variables (EBVs) 🔑 Three core recommendations: 1️⃣ Adapt monitoring protocols to local contexts while aligning with broader goals 2️⃣ Enable parallel data workflows to ensure flexibility and interoperability 3️⃣ Build common frameworks supported by technical expert groups By fostering collaboration across sectors and scales, this framework aims to strengthen biodiversity data quality, accessibility, and long-term value. Read the full recommendations and explore how you can support a more connected biodiversity monitoring landscape. 📎https://lnkd.in/eJ485iXy Do you think this can be adapted to the needs of the eDNA aquatic landscape in Europe for biodiversity monitoring? #Biodiversity #Biodiversity #Monitoring #EBVs #BiodiversaPlus #Policy #OpenData #Conservation #Interoperability

A new study has developed a framework to help agricultural sectors better contribute to global biodiversity targets without causing unintended harms. Researchers have developed a set of safeguards to ensure progress in one environmental impact type does not come at the expense of others. The study estimates that this could take the sector most of the way towards biodiversity targets. Read more ➡️ https://bit.ly/45KLggw