This document corresponds to Chapter 1 of the IPBES thematic assessment of the underlying causes of biodiversity loss, determinants of transformative change and options for achieving the 2050 Vision for Biodiverty.

Chapter 1 describes how biodiversity loss and nature’s decline are occurring through multiple
interacting crises and emphasizes that transformative change is now both necessary and
urgent. The chapter defines transformative change and has a focus on providing a framework
for deliberately pursuing transformative change towards a just and sustainable world. To
achieve a just and sustainable world, addressing the underlying causes of biodiversity loss
and nature’s decline is vital. As the first part of the transformative change framework, the
chapter therefore identifies and analyzes these underlying causes as deep rooted social and
cultural patterns that influence and shape all direct and indirect drivers. In the second part of
the framework, the chapter notes how the identified underlying causes are consolidated and
perpetuated through the three interwoven dimensions of views, structures and practices and
explains how transformative change involves shifts across the breadth of all three of these
dimensions. The third and final part of the framework presents principles that the assessment
has identified to guide transformative change across all three dimensions of views, structures
and practices in ways that address the underlying causes and enable just and sustainable
futures. Following the presentation of this framework for understanding and guiding
transformative change, the chapter demonstrates how the framework can be operationalized
through a rich mosaic of actions at multiple scales and levels, with roles for all. In doing so, it
highlights that many existing initiatives have transformative potential that can be realized by
developing transformative capacities and engaging more fully in the depth and breadth of
transformative change. The chapter closes by outlining the methodology used to create
inclusive approaches in this assessment and presents a typology of knowledge gaps relevant
to transformative change. While chapter 1 synthesizes a framework for understanding and
operationalizing transformative change, various visions, theories, approaches, strategies,
options, and pathways are elaborated in later chapters. These combine to show not only why
transformative change is necessary, urgent and challenging, but also how it is still possible.