JUSTCONSERVATION | Towards ‘just conservation’: linking theories and practices of justice in biodiversity conservation

Over the past three decades, biodiversity conservation has expanded, from a focus on nature preservation alone, to more ‘people-friendly’ approaches integrating objectives for both conservation and human well-being, as visible in the governance of protected areas and other conservation measures worldwide. However, integrated approaches have not necessarily led to benefits to local people, giving rise to a further shift from a focus on economic development, to one on social justice. This FRB-CESAB research project called JUSTCONSERVATION analyzed how justice concerns find support and integration in biodiversity conservation; a research need which is currently under-addressed. It asks:

• how different conceptualizations of justice and equity influence the governance of protected areas and other effective conservation measures?
• to what extent and through what mechanisms the integration of social objectives in conservation governance influence conservation effectiveness?
   

This document summarizes in a few pages the group’s context and objectives, the methods and approaches used, the main findings, as well as the impact for science, society, and both public and private decision-making.