Archives des Société - Fondation pour la recherche sur la biodiversité

Traditional conservation approaches have typically focused solely on ecological aspects. However, a growing body of research shows that the success of conservation policies depends as much on governance, power dynamics, and underlying principles of justice as on the biological mechanisms they aim to protect. Despite this, the interactions between these dimensions remain poorly understood and are often studied in isolation.

Drawing on the findings of four FRB-CESAB research projects, this conference explores the emerging concept of Blue and Green Justice in biodiversity conservation. Each project used distinct methodological and disciplinary approaches, yet all shared a common goal: to examine how stakeholder engagement in conservation processes can strengthen the protection and resilience of terrestrial and marine ecosystems.

The conference will take place on December 15 at 2:00 PM (Paris time) and will be conducted in English. Attendees are invited to join in person in Paris. Attendance is free, but registration via the form below is required.

Learn more about the projects

The program will begin with the PARSEC project, which combined satellite imagery, socio-economic data, and artificial intelligence to quantify the global impacts of protected areas, particularly on poverty. In parallel, PARSEC collaborated with the MPA-Poverty project — funded by the ANR and led by CEE-M — which resulted in a case study focused on fisheries in Tanzania.

ParsecRead more

The discussion will continue with the BLUE JUSTICE project, which explored the global connections between equity, marine policies, and the resilience of coastal communities, especially under the combined pressures of climate change, conservation, and development.

Blue JusticeRead more

Complementing this, the JUSTCONSERVATION project synthesizes 50 years of empirical literature (662 case studies), providing robust statistical evidence that governance led by Indigenous peoples and local communities significantly improves ecological and social outcomes.

JustConservationRead more

Finally, the POWERBIODIV project examines a dimension long theorized but rarely operationalized: power. Using a multidimensional framework combining systematic reviews, network analyses, and modeling, the project investigates how visible, hidden, and systemic forms of power influence participatory processes and their outcomes.

PowerBiodivRead more

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.

Thématique: Société

[FRB-CESAB] Blue and Green Justice

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

English version coming soon