Besides Bolin Centre members, other participants were from many different biodiversity stakeholders, such as other universities, authorities such as the Swedish Board of Agriculture and the Swedish Environmental Protection Agency, municipalities including the City of Stockholm, companies such as those involved in agriculture and steel, NGOs like WWF, and other research- and museum entities. It was the largest gathering of biodiversity scientists and other biodiversity stakeholders in Sweden.

Each day had a theme and started with a thought-provoking discussion panel around topics like “Is Swedish biodiversity governance transformative?”, “Societal transformation – how do we make it happen?” and “Future Directions? Unlocking a sustainable future”. For many attendees, these discussions were a highlight of the meeting. Each topic brought together people with different approaches and viewpoints about how Sweden can apply scientific knowledge about biodiversity concerns to actionable change.

Peter Hambäck from the Department of Ecology, Environment and Plant Sciences presenting his talk “Rewetting for biodiversity and climate – compatible goals?” Photo: Rhonda Snook

 
Bolin Centre members contributed to topic sessions, discussing ideas on landscape rewetting for biodiversity, to the role of human culture in transformative change. The role of culture was reinforced by showcasing 4 artists or artist consortia whose work is embedded in biodiversity. We also had members organizing sessions, including from the Swedish Museum of Natural History on how research infrastructures support excellence in science and policy decision making. 

Anna Sciani presenting her talk "More than water: Perceived impacts of river changes on people and biodiversity. Photo: Rhonda Snook

Another highlight of the meeting was the multitude of opportunities to meet stakeholders across the board in a less formal setting, during fikas, lunch, and two evening events – one at the Gothenburg Natural History Museum, and the other at Universeum. It was clear that getting this many people together with shared goals and responsibility for meeting Sweden’s biodiversity targets fostered new interactions. Let’s hope that at the second Swedish Biodiversity Symposium, in 2027 (location and dates TBD), we will learn about all the advances that came about as a result of the first SBS.