Written by Apostolos Malamakis, George Banias and Maria Batsioula, CERTH

The Myth

Biodiversity restoration means restricting economic activity.

The Reality

A frequent myth is that protecting or restoring biodiversity inevitably limits economic development. Some argue that conservation measures reduce productivity, restrict land use, or create regulatory burdens for businesses and farmers. This belief often frames biodiversity protection as being in direct conflict with economic prosperity.

However, scientific and economic evidence shows the opposite: healthy ecosystems are foundational to long-term economic stability and competitiveness. According to the World Economic Forum, more than half of global Gross Domestic Product (GDP) is moderately or highly dependent on nature and its services (e.g., pollination, water regulation, soil fertility)¹. The OECD and IPBES also highlight that biodiversity loss increases systemic economic risks, disrupts supply chains, and reduces resilience in sectors such as agriculture, forestry, fisheries, and tourism^2,3. Rather than limiting growth, biodiversity-positive approaches can create new economic opportunities, including green jobs, regenerative agriculture and ecosystem restoration services. The EU Biodiversity Strategy for 2030⁴ explicitly links ecosystem restoration to economic resilience, food security, and climate adaptation. In this sense, biodiversity protection is not an economic constraint—it is a risk management and competitiveness strategy for the future.

Why this misconception matters

This misconception can generate resistance among local stakeholders, policymakers, and economic actors who fear that biodiversity initiatives threaten livelihoods. Within projects like ᴇNᴀBʟS, it may discourage engagement with Nature-Based Solutions (NBS) or educational reforms if biodiversity is framed as anti-development. Addressing this myth is crucial for building trust and demonstrating that ecological sustainability and economic resilience are mutually reinforcing.

References

1. World Economic Forum (2020). Nature Risk Rising: Why the Crisis Engulfing Nature Matters for Business and the Economy. https://www3.weforum.org/docs/WEF_New_Nature_Economy_Report_2020.pdf
2. OECD (2019). Biodiversity: Finance and the Economic and Business Case for Action. https://doi.org/10.1787/a3147942-en
3. IPBES (2019). Global Assessment Report on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services. https://ipbes.net/global-assessment
4. European Commission (2020). EU Biodiversity Strategy for 2030. https://environment.ec.europa.eu/strategy/biodiversity-strategy-2030_en