Conference stream​​​​​​s

The conference theme is “Advancing ecosystem services knowledge for achieving a nature- and people-positive Europe.” We aim to place special focus, though not exclusively, on the following key challenges:

1. Navigating governance of ecosystem services in a changing political landscapes

Explore how evolving political conditions influence the governance of ecosystem services, and how evidence-based policies, policy evaluation, and new and existing frameworks can better support inclusive, cross-sectoral, and multi-level collaborations.

• Impacts of political changes on ecosystem services, including policy and governance.

• Aligning ecosystem services with evolving EU and national policy frameworks, such as nature restoration.

• Strengthening participation, multi-level governance and cross-sectoral collaboration to harness the power of ecosystem services concept.

2. Ecosystem services knowledge for a people- and nature-positive future

Highlight advances in interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary research, tools, and methodologies to better understand, assess, model, and communicate the diverse values and roles of ecosystem services in achieving integrated sustainability goals.

• Advancing transdisciplinary ecosystem services and values- and nexus-oriented research to support sustainable decision-making.

• Integrating diverse values, including intrinsic, relational and instrumental in nature’s contributions to people and ecosystem services assessments.

• Developing knowledge tools for monitoring, modeling, and policy evaluation, including the implementation of nature restoration objectives.

3. Climate and natural solutions for ecosystem restoration and resilience

Focus on the design and implementation of ecosystem-based approaches to climate change mitigation and adaptation, enhancing both urban and rural resilience while contributing to biodiversity conservation, nature restoration and human well-being.

• Enhancing urban and rural resilience through ecosystem-based adaptation and disaster risk reduction.

• Implementing nature-based solutions for climate mitigation, adaptation and biodiversity conservation.

• Restoring nature with enhanced ecosystem services outcomes.

4. Equity, justice, and inclusivity in ecosystem services

Investigate how ecosystem services and nature´s contributions to people frameworks can contribute to environmental justice, ensure fair access to benefits, and empower marginalized and underrepresented communities through inclusive governance and participatory processes.

• Ensuring just access to nature and ecosystem benefits.

• Co-producing knowledge with diverse communities and stakeholders.

• Strengthening environmental justice in ecosystem services governance.

5. Economics of ecosystem services

Explore the role of economic models, inclusive well-being, and diverse valuation methods in guiding ecosystem services research and practice. This stream will critically examine the use of economic valuation, discuss the potential of alternative concepts such as degrowth, and promote economy-based approaches that balance human needs with ecological sustainability.

• Exploring diverse and pluralistic valuation methods for ecosystem services.

• Addressing the role of traditional (green growth) but also alternative economic paradigms, including degrowth, in ecosystem services governance.

• Investigating innovative financing approaches that support nature-positive and socially equitable transitions.

6. Ecosystem accounting, interregional flows, and Europe’s global impact

Explore how ecosystem accounting, trade-related flows, and environmental footprints can inform more responsible policy-making, reveal Europe's broader environmental impacts, and support coherent decision-making across sectors, regions, and global scales, while identifying and managing the risks associated with ecological degradation.

• Integrating natural capital accounting into governance and policy frameworks.

• Assessing interregional flows of ecosystem services within Europe and beyond.

• Evaluating the environmental and socio-economic impacts of EU policies and consumption abroad

The 6th ESP Europe conference will be an in-person conference to provide an enriching experience that allows attendees to fully immerse themselves in the conference, interact with speakers and engage with other participants in real-time.