Symposium Economy meets Biodiversity: Aligning ecological and economic research to bend the curve of biodiversity loss

The KNAW institutes and SSH-council organise this symposium, bringing together researchers from economics, ecology, and environmental sciences to bridge the gap between economic modeling and efforts to halt and reverse biodiversity loss. As environmental crises escalate, aligning economic research with ecological realities is critical for developing sustainable policy frameworks and decision-making tools. This symposium aims to explore how economic modeling can be effectively applied to quantify, preserve, and restore biodiversity. 

Through inspiring keynotes and interactive panel discussions, we will examine concrete strategies to break down interdisciplinary silos and align research methodologies. Keynote speakers will introduce the state-of-the-art intersection of both fields, followed by panel sessions to encourage active dialogue and explore a shared research agenda.

Programme

• 12.30-1.00 p.m. -  Walk-in with coffee/tea
• 1.00-1.15 p.m. -  Welcome by Peter Verhoef (SSH-council, Chair Council of Deans in Economics and Business)
• 1.15-2.00 p.m. - Key note by Rick van der Ploeg (Professor of Economics at the University of Oxford)
• 2.00-2.30 p.m. - Panel discussion
• 2.30-3.00 p.m. - Break
• 3.00-3.45 p.m. - Key note by Marije Schaafsma (Head of Environmental Economics at VU Amsterdam, lead author of IPBES Business and Biodiversity assessment)
• 3.45-4.15 p.m. - Panel discussion
• 4.15-4.30 p.m. - Reflection by Marianne de Laet (Director Meertens Instituut)
• 4.30-4.40 p.m. - Closing remarks by Stefan Dekker (Director NIOO-KNAW)
• 4.40-5.30 p.m. - Drinks 

More information 

For more information about this symposium you can contact Amber Heijboer (amber.heijboer@knaw.nl) or Anne van de Poel (a.vandepoel@uu.nl).

About the KNAW research theme ‘sustainable planet’

This symposium is organised as part of the KNAW research theme ‘sustainable planet’. The global sustainability crisis requires solutions that transcend traditional academic boundaries. With its activities, the KNAW institutes aim to foster interdisciplinary collaboration and bridge the gap between scientific knowledge and policy development. By bringing together perspectives from ecology, economics, and environmental sciences, this symposium explores actionable strategies and innovative frameworks to halt biodiversity loss and build a resilient, sustainable future.