New report: Lifestyles are crucial in preventing the biodiversity loss – Finland is included in the comparison

Safeguarding forests and expanding protected areas will not be enough to halt and reverse biodiversity loss. A major new global report released today on United Nations World Wildlife Day argues that saving nature also requires transforming the systems that shape how people eat, travel, and consume. 

International report reveals causes of biodiversity loss

Published by the Hot or Cool Institute with analytical support from scientists at the University of Jyväskylä, Finland, Nature-Positive Lifestyles: Unlocking Opportunities for People and Planet (2026) makes the case that biodiversity loss is not only a conservation issue; it is deeply embedded in economic systems and patterns of consumption and production. According to the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES), up to one million species are at risk of extinction if current trends continue. 

The plate has the biggest impact

Drawing on analysis of Brazil, Finland and Japan, the study finds that food alone accounts for between 51% and 84% of lifestyle-related biodiversity impacts across the three countries. Land-use change linked to animal-based products is the dominant driver. Transportation is also a major contributor to the biodiversity footprint of people in Finland and Japan, which is mainly driven by private car use. Energy use in housing and consumer goods also contribute significantly.

“In the report, we used the previously estimated biodiversity footprints of Finns and compared them with those of Brazilians and Japanese.” says researcher Sami El Geneidy from the University of Jyväskylä involved in the report. “Based on the results, the biodiversity footprint of Finns appears to be the smallest among the three. Although this difference is partly explained, for example, by lower meat consumption in Finland, it is important to note that we Finns have outsourced a significant share of our biodiversity footprint to other countries.” 

What could Finland learn?

The report argues that conservation and ecosystem restoration remain essential, but they address symptoms rather than root causes. Upstream drivers – including land-use change, resource extraction, pollution and climate impacts embedded in consumption – must be tackled directly. 

“The report also offers Finland tools for planning policy measures that reduce our biodiversity footprint. For example, in Germany, value-added tax has been leveraged to support the consumption of plant-based foods.”, says Doctoral Researcher Charlotte Maddinson from the University of Jyväskylä who was also involved in producing the report. 

Everyday choices are important

For the first time, the report compares several countries, focusing on how lifestyles influence biodiversity loss and which everyday choices have the greatest impact.

"We propose that lifestyle changes be put at the heart of nature policy, especially in the areas of food and transport. Consumption-based biodiversity footprint indicators be included in national reporting.", explains El Geneidy .

The findings emphasize the importance of accessibility and reasonable prices for environmentally friendly choices.

"The report highlights that simply protecting ecosystems is not enough. The causes of biodiversity loss must also be tackled to ensure economic sustainability, food security, and social stability.", says El Geneidy. 

The full report will be available for download from March 3rd, 2026: https://hotorcool.org/publications/nature-positive-lifestyles-unlocking-opportunities-for-people-and-planet