The Behaviour-Biodiversity Nexus: A Comprehensive Literature Review
Human behaviour is pivotal in driving biodiversity loss, underpinning threats such as habitat destruction, overexploitation, pollution, climate change, and invasive species. Despite clear connections between human actions and biodiversity loss, behavioural science remains underrepresented in conservation literature, limiting the effectiveness of interventions aimed at changing behaviour sustainably. This systematic literature review identifies significant opportunities for integrating behavioural insights into biodiversity policy-making, particularly under the European Union’s Biodiversity Strategy 2030 and the Nature Restoration Law. Key findings indicate that interventions tailored to specific stakeholder groups, particularly farmers and citizens, show promising results when combining financial incentives with behavioural nudges and social norms. However, long-term effectiveness, systemic interventions addressing structural barriers, and broader stakeholder engagement remain under-researched. Future policy measures should integrate interdisciplinary approaches and target systemic change alongside individual behaviours, aligning with broader EU objectives and international biodiversity commitments.
MITEV Kaloyan;
DUPOUX Marion;
2025-09-15
Publications Office of the European Union
JRC142721
978-92-68-31088-5 (online),
1831-9424 (online),
EUR 40425,
OP KJ-01-25-425-EN-N (online),
https://publications.jrc.ec.europa.eu/repository/handle/JRC142721,
10.2760/1348952 (online),
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