Biodiversity is declining at an alarming rate, threatening all life on Earth and, ultimately, many of the processes and functions of Earth itself. Addressing this crisis requires deep, systematic shifts in policies, institutions, behaviours and economics – far beyond incremental improvements (IPBES 2024). 

The 2025 Alternet Conference, themed “Achieving Transformative Change for Biodiversity” will explore how to address the root causes of biodiversity decline and how to drive fundamental changes needed for a just and sustainable future. Sessions will examine how we study, teach, govern, protect, restore, and include nature in human society again, inviting participants to actively engage in shaping transformative solutions. 

Through diverse session formats, the conference will address strategies for mainstreaming biodiversity across sectors (e.g., business, agriculture and forestry), highlighting nature’s diverse values and the factors that shape everyday societal decisions. The question on how to strengthen the transformative change in the science-policy interface will be central to the conference, as well as biodiversity governance and how to foster a fair, inclusive and effective dialogue between scientists and decision-makers. Transdisciplinary research, education and citizen science will be highlighted as essential tools for engagement and impact. The conference will also showcase innovations in biodiversity monitoring, collaborative approaches in nature conservation and restoration, and nature-based solutions as drivers of systematic change. Discussions will examine how to build resilience to climate extremes, address the biodiversity-climate-society nexus and understand the crucial role of soil biota in ecosystem stability. 

By bringing together researchers, policymakers, and practitioners, the conference aims to foster interdisciplinary collaboration and inspire meaningful action for biodiversity.