Envisioning Nature Futures at WBF 2026
Updated: Oct 7
From 13 to 19 June 2026, Assoc Prof Perrine Hamel and PhD candidate Sammie Ng attended the World Biodiversity Forum (WBF) 2026 in Davos, Switzerland, contributing to discussions on biodiversity scenarios, framework applications, and urban ecological futures.
During session FUT19 on Reimagining Cities for Biodiversity-Positive Futures and Human Well-Being, Prof Hamel presented “Nature-positive futures in rapidly expanding Asian megacities,” exploring pathways to embed biodiversity goals and nature-based solutions into the region's rapid urbanisation trajectories.
Prof Hamel also contributed as part of the Biofutures & BES‑SIM2 NFF–GBF narrative working group on Global biodiversity narratives contingent on values-based interpretations of the Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF). Grounded in the NFF, the initiative illustrates how plural value perspectives (nature for nature, society, and culture) lead to divergent global pathways for meeting GBF targets.
Left: Sammie Ng's oral presentation. Right: Prof Perrine Hamel, Yanxia Qiu (PhD candidate from University College Dublin) and Sammie Ng at the conference.
During session FUT11 on Shaping Biodiverse Futures: Applying the Nature Futures Framework for Scenario Development from Local to National Levels, PhD candidate Sammie Ng delivered an oral presentation titled “From Visions to Practice: Insights from Recent Applications of the Nature Futures Framework (NFF).”
Sammie shared preliminary findings from an ongoing systematic review of over 80 NFF papers. After more than a year of synthesising this literature, it was surreal and rewarding to connect in person with the global community of researchers putting the framework into practice.
Our time in Davos sparked valuable dialogues on turning nature-positive frameworks into tangible practice. We look forward to translating these discussions into our upcoming papers and case studies!
