D4.1 Strategies for valorisation of biodiversity in an international perspective

Summary

This report aims to give an overview of strategies to valorise biodiversity and ecosystem services in food systems and the findings of this topic in an international perspective. Furthermore, it delves into what kinds of valorisation strategies exists already and how these are structured in terms of documentation, communication and what is valued when it comes to conserving biodiversity in agri-food systems. Draw-ing on a mixed-method approach, the report combines a scoping review of international literature, mapping of existing initiatives, and qualitative interviews with organisations working actively to integrate biodiver-sity into their production systems and value chains. The analysis identifies four overarching strategy types: point-based incentive models, certification and labelling schemes, decision support tools, and educational approaches, and direct sales through short value chains. Furthermore, it discusses the implications for pro-ducers, consumers, and biodiversity governance. These strategies reflect different logics of value creation and stakeholder engagements, ranging from structured metrics and third-party verification to relational trust and cultural storytelling.
The findings highlight that while some actors seek to valorise biodiversity through quantifiable actions, others rely on more narrative-driven or culturally embedded approaches. Educational tools provide tailored guidance and monitoring frameworks, while direct-to-consumer models foster transparency and engage-ment through personal relationships and place-based narratives. A central challenged identified across the initiatives is the lack of standardised frameworks for documenting and communicating biodiversity effects. Despite this, many organisations find their own ways to translate ecological complexity and actions to-wards complexity into formats that resonate with consumer, stakeholders, and policymakers. The report argues that effective valorisation requires hybrid approaches that combine monitoring with cultural rele-vance, enabling producers to navigate diverse market demands while contributing to biodiversity conserva-tion. Ultimately, the report underscores that valorisation of biodiversity is not a singular pathway, but a constellation of strategies shaped by ecological, economic, and socio-cultural contexts. As biodiversity continues to decline globally, the urgency to embed its value within food systems grows. Future efforts should focus on refining documentation standards, expanding stakeholder networks, and fostering integra-tive approaches that support both ecological complexity and resilience and socio-economic sustainability.