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Embedding biodiversity research into climate adaptation policy and practice
Author(s) -
Graham Victoria,
Auld Tony,
Beaumont Linda,
Bell Linda,
Dunford Suzanne,
Gallagher Rachael,
Hancock Nola,
Leishman Michelle R.,
Mitchell Polly,
Staas Leigh,
Hughes Lesley
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
global change biology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 4.146
H-Index - 255
eISSN - 1365-2486
pISSN - 1354-1013
DOI - 10.1111/gcb.15770
Subject(s) - stakeholder , government (linguistics) , stakeholder engagement , environmental resource management , natural resource management , agency (philosophy) , natural resource , business , adaptation (eye) , focus group , resource (disambiguation) , environmental planning , knowledge management , process management , political science , public relations , computer science , geography , sociology , environmental science , social science , philosophy , computer network , linguistics , physics , optics , marketing , law
Addressing climate change risks requires collaboration and engagement across all sectors of society. In particular, effective partnerships are needed between research scientists producing new knowledge, policy‐makers and practitioners who apply conservation actions on the ground. We describe the implementation of a model for increasing the application and useability of biodiversity research in climate adaptation policy and practice. The focus of the program was to increase the ability of a state government agency and natural resource practitioners in Australia to manage and protect biodiversity in a changing climate. The model comprised a five‐stage process for enhancing impact (i) initiation of research projects that addressed priority conservation policy and management issues; (ii) co‐design of the research using a collaborative approach involving multiple stakeholders; (iii) implementation of the research and design of decision tools and web‐based resources; (iv) collaborative dissemination of the tools and resources via government and community working groups; and (v) evaluation of research impact. We report on the model development and implementation, and critically reflect on the model's impact. We share the lessons learnt from the challenges of operating within a stakeholder group with diverse objectives and criteria for success, and provide a template for creating an environmental research program with real world impact.