Business case for the “Taxonomists4Future” Initiative

This business case presents the Taxonomists4Future initiative, a coordinated effort under CETAF to strengthen and sustain Europe’s taxonomic capacity in response to urgent biodiversity challenges. The document outlines the rationale for the initiative, emphasising the growing demand for taxonomic expertise across science, policy, conservation, and industry, and the risks posed by maintaining the status quo. A stakeholder analysis confirms the broad spectrum of beneficiaries and highlights the importance of engagement strategies that add value without duplicating existing activities. Three potential implementation scenarios are explored: (1) a modest pilot coordinated by the CETAF Secretariat; (2) a distributed network model supported primarily by project funding; and (3) a permanent professionalised platform underpinned by sustainable financing. A comprehensive risk assessment distinguishes between feasibility risks (whether a scenario can realistically be achieved) and operational risks (how sustainable it would be once in place). The analysis shows that while Scenario 1 offers the lowest entry barrier, it is fragile operationally; Scenario 2 provides resilience but depends on project cycles; and Scenario 3 represents the most robust long-term vision, albeit with high feasibility risks. To balance feasibility with ambition, the business case proposes a phased implementation plan: beginning with a low-risk pilot, expanding to a distributed model once project funding and institutional commitments are secured, and ultimately aspiring to a permanent platform when long-term financial support becomes achievable. This pathway is supported by governance mechanisms, monitoring and evaluation, and contingency planning to manage uncertainties.