Trade and biodiversity loss: disentangling the complexities for effective policy action

There is a growing policy emphasis on “harnessing trade for biodiversity” and “biodiversity-friendly trade.” However, achieving this requires a full understanding of the complexities involved. Biodiversity is a complex concept that encompasses a wide range of factors and influences. It cannot be measured in a straightforward manner and its evaluation depends on the specific context, scale, and time frame. Additionally, there are inherent tensions between the benefits of trade and the importance of maintaining biodiversity. The pursuit of trade often leads to greater agrosystem specialization, intensification, and concentration, which can harm ecosystem functions. Indeed, it is important to avoid oversimplification and exercise caution in advocating for “biodiversity-friendly” production and trade. This article critically examines the idea of “harnessing trade for biodiversity” and scrutinizes the intricate interplay between trade and biodiversity. It approaches the topic from an interdisciplinary perspective, considering trade policy vis-à-vis commodity trade economics and social-ecological system frameworks. By linking trade policy to various approaches in the “beyond growth” debate, we present an overview of different pathways to reconcile trade and biodiversity, ranging from fundamental reform to incremental changes.