Global trading systems are damaging the very ecosystems that they rely upon to produce food and materials, with harmful impacts on nature and people, according to a group of leading European research institutes.
The new report by the PEER network focuses on the lack of understanding of the interactions between biodiversity and global trade, which the authors say must be addressed to inform more sustainable management of natural resources and reduce negative trade impacts.
PEER comprises eight leading European research institutes including Wageningen Environmental Research. The network launched the report, which is aimed at policymakers, research funders and businesses across Europe, at an event in Brussels for stakeholders from different sectors.
Highlighting evidence gaps
The report warns that global trading systems have negative impacts on biodiversity and ecosystems, climate and social equality. The COVID pandemic, Brexit and global tariffs have highlighted how economies and people's wellbeing are currently bound to unstable, highly interconnected global trade systems. The report identifies critical evidence gaps on:
- the complex interactions between trade systems and biodiversity, and how these can lead to ecological and societal harm (from land use / sea changes, pollution, invasive species and climate change)
- how institutions and policies shape global supply chains that drive biodiversity loss and ecological harm from trade beyond the borders of importing countries
- how improved European Commission policies, trade agreements and financial systems could be designed across regions and sectors to reduce impact of consumer demand and consumption on global biodiversity, as well as support multiple UN sustainability development goals (SDGs)
These evidence gaps would need to be filled by researchers from different countries and different environmental and social science disciplines, who will therefore require sufficient financial backing from EU and national public and private funding organisations.
Harnessing data
Improved knowledge will inform the development of more stable trade systems that maximise economic and social benefits, while minimising risks to nature, ecosystems and people. This would include harnessing data to design effective land use and trade policies, integrating biodiversity into trade agreements, and enhancing businesses' environmental impact assessments.
The research agenda and systems approaches set out in the report would give policymakers the required evidence and ammunition to negotiate and shape trade agreements with global partners that deliver maximum benefits for biodiversity and society.
The report, Navigating the Nexus of Biodiversity & Global Trade: Challenges and Priorities for Research, was led by Dr Jeanne Nel of Wageningen University & Research, with co-authors including Jorge Sellare (FNP) and Bernadetha Hastuti. It is available to download free via the PEER website.
The launch event on 21 January explored the interactions between biodiversity and trade, and the gaps in knowledge and data. It was held at the European Commission's Joint Research Centre (JRC) and brought together 130 participants including scientists, policymakers and other stakeholders. Speakers included representatives from the European Commission and the OECD (Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development) as well as researchers who contributed to the report. A webcast from the event is available here.
The eight research institutes that make up the PEER network are: UKCEH, the JRC, Wageningen, CIENS (Norway), INRAE (France), Skye (Finland) UFZ (Germany) and the Danish Centre for Environment and Energy
