In this provocative talk Justin will argue that while the increased awareness and understanding of the decline of biodiversity is to be welcomed. Our current approaches and responses at both the global and local levels are woefully inadequate. We are stuck in a cycle of incremental gains that are failing to address the roots causes of the ‘nature crisis’. Moving forward we will need to be much bolder in reimagining the future we want to help build. Justin will draw on his diverse experience to highlight the inadequacies of incremental approaches and the urgent need for transformative change. From addressing commodity-driven deforestation, to the ongoing challenges and controversies of the carbon market, to his experience of implementing Biodiversity Net Gain locally, Justin will share insights gained from more than 15 years working on nature recovery. He will take a step back to explore what we can learn from all these examples and then offer some perspectives on how we might collectively reimagine our approaches to nature recovery. This interactive discussion will provide a platform for attendees to challenge assumptions and engage in dialogue on the future of nature recovery. Come prepared to explore bold solutions and contribute to the conversation. Biography: Justin is a seasoned expert in nature and food systems. He has held senior roles in both the private sector and civil society and was a Senior Advisor to the UK Government to deliver COP26 for which he was awarded an OBE by the late Queen in 2022. Most recently he led the strategy development of Generation Investment Management’s new multi hundred-million-dollar nature and food investment fund. He stepped down from this role in August 2023 to create space for a much deeper exploration of how to unlock transformational change at both the individual and system levels. His latest endeavour, the Ostara Collective, launches in June and aims to create intentional dialogue and space for restoring our relationship with ourselves, our communities, and the Earth. He also serves on the Advisory Board for the Leverhulme Centre for Nature Recovery, is a Visiting Fellow at the Oxford Martin School and is Chair of the Trust for Oxfordshire’s Environment focused on local nature recovery. The Leverhulme Centre for Nature Recovery and Biodiversity Network are interested in promoting a wide variety of views and opinions on nature recovery from researchers and practitioners. The views, opinions and positions expressed within this lecture are those of the author alone, they do not purport to reflect the opinions or views of the Leverhulme Centre for Nature Recovery/Biodiversity Network, or its researchers.

Hugh in semi-retirement has 3 jobs: Biodiversity Council’s Co-chief Councillor, Chief Scientist of Accounting for Nature and The University of Queensland. He...