Projects
As part of this initiative, we have been leading and contributing to a number of projects that advance understanding of people-nature relations, why they matter, and how they can be enhanced through science, practice and policy.
The Nature Relationship Index
We have been supporting the UN Human Development Report Office with the development of the Nature Relationship Index (NRI). The NRI seeks to expand the definition of national progress – currently measured through the Human Development Index – to also include mutually beneficial relationships between people and the rest of life on Earth. Read the Perspective in Nature here. Our contribution has been to lead the international concept testing (public engagement) and global expert consultation on the most appropriate and effective dimensions and indicators for the index.
Social surveys on people and nature in the UK
We have led the co-production of a report and journal article (forthcoming) about the opportunities and challenges for using social surveys to enhance understanding of people and nature relations in the UK. This included a funded collaboration with Natural England – England’s environmental agency – and a stakeholder workshop with NGOs and government agencies from across the UK.
People-nature relations in the Australian Capital Territory
We are currently working with government, academic and civil society organisations across The Australian Capital Territory to explore the present state of understanding about people-nature relations within these organisations and the potential to collectively enhance the science, policy and practice of understanding these relationships in order to enable desirable futures for the ‘bush capital’ in Australia.
The People-Nature Relations Initiative 