Catalyzing change: a literature review on the implementation of the Nature Futures Framework

Okayasu, Sana ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6534-0458; Kuiper, Jan J. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6655-9355; Halouani, Ghassan ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6610-293X; Kim, HyeJin ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1187-6414; Miller, Brian W. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1716-1161; Durán, América Paz ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9719-7388; Vermeer, Angelique ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1990-6633; Schoolenberg, Machteld ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8940-0291; Hashimoto, Shizuka ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4423-9374; Lundquist, Carolyn ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2101-7237. 2025 Catalyzing change: a literature review on the implementation of the Nature Futures Framework [in special issue: Operationalizing the Nature Futures Framework to catalyze the development of nature-future scenarios] Sustainability Science. 20, pp. 10.1007/s11625-025-01682-y

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Abstract/Summary

The Nature Futures Framework (NFF), developed under the Intergovernmental Science–Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES), serves as a catalyst for advancing new scenarios and models focused on biodiversity and ecosystem services within the broader research community. In particular, the framework facilitates the development of scenarios and models that can help guide change processes toward desirable futures for nature and people. This paper assesses 31 studies that have engaged with the NFF since its introduction in 2020, aiming to identify which research areas have been addressed, and where development needs remain. The applications exhibit a large diversity in terms of locations, spatial scales, methods, outputs, and stakeholder involvement. The most common use of the framework has been in developing visions and scenarios. Nearly all studies engaged with diverse values of nature through the framework’s fundamental value perspectives: ‘ Nature for Society ’, ‘ Nature for Natur e’, and ‘ Nature as Culture / One with Nature ’. While the framework is generally perceived as useful, challenges remain in integrating the NFF across multiple scales and fully incorporating plural values, particularly in measuring relational aspects and avoiding Western-centric biases. Future research priorities include developing integrated, quantitative studies and exploring transformative pathways to enhance the framework's effectiveness in driving sustainable outcomes. Overall, the growing body of work using the NFF provides a strong foundation for distilling best practices, facilitating large-scale applications, and achieving the framework's objectives.

Item Type:	Publication - Article
Digital Object Identifier (DOI):	10.1007/s11625-025-01682-y
UKCEH and CEH Sections/Science Areas:	Biodiversity and Land Use (2025-)
ISSN:	1862-4065
Additional Information:	Open Access paper - full text available via Official URL link.
Additional Keywords:	IPBES, scenarios, models, visions, value plurality, transformative change
NORA Subject Terms:	Ecology and Environment Data and Information
Date made live:	09 Jul 2025 10:33 +0 (UTC)
URI:	https://nora.nerc.ac.uk/id/eprint/539816

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