Implications of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine for the governance of biodiversity conservation

• Published in: Frontiers in conservation science Vol. 4
• Main Authors: Gallo-Cajiao, Eduardo, Dolšak, Nives, Prakash, Aseem, Mundkur, Taej, Harris, Paul G., Mitchell, Ronald B., Davidson, Nick, Hansen, Birgita, Woodworth, Bradley K., Fuller, Richard A., Price, Melissa, Petkov, Nicky, Mauerhofer, Volker, Morrison, Tiffany H., Watson, James E. M., Chowdhury, Sayam U., Zöckler, Christoph, Widerberg, Oscar, Yong, Ding Li, Klich, Daniel, Smagol, Vitaliy, Piccolo, John, Biggs, Duan
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Frontiers Media S.A 2023
• Subjects: Biologi; Biology; conservation policy; global environmental governance; international conflict; migratory species conservation; Russia's invasion of Ukraine; transboundary conservation
• ISSN: 2673-611X; 2673-611X
• DOI: 10.3389/fcosc.2023.989019

Maintaining peace and conserving biodiversity hinge on an international system of cooperation codified in institutions, but Russia’s invasion of Ukraine brings recent progress to a crossroads. Against this backdrop, we address some implications of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine for the governance of biodiversity conservation both within and beyond Russia. The Russian invasion of Ukraine threatens the governance system for biodiversity conservation, as it pertains to Russia and beyond, due to three interacting factors: (i) isolation of Russia from the international system, (ii) halt and delay of international cooperation, and (iii) changes in international and domestic policy priorities. We recommend making the existing international system of governance for conserving biodiversity more resilient and adaptable, while aligning security agendas with biodiversity conservation goals.