Browsing by Author "Nixon, Nicola"

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    The Regenerative Lens: a conceptual framework for regenerative social-ecological systems
    (Elsevier, 2023-07-21) Buckton, Sam J.; Fazey, Ioan; Sharpe, Bill; Om, Eugyen Suzanne; Doherty, Bob; Ball, Peter; Denby, Katherine; Bryant, Maria; Lait, Rebecca; Bridle, Sarah; Cain, Michelle; Carmen, Esther; Collins, Lisa; Nixon, Nicola; Yap, Christopher; Connolly, Annie; Fletcher, Ben; Frankowska, Angelina; Gardner, Grace; James, Anthonia; Kendrick, Ian; Kluczkovski, Alana; Mair, Simon; Morris, Belinda; Sinclair, Maddie
    Societies must transform their dynamics to support the flourishing of life. There is increasing interest in regeneration and regenerative practice as a solution, but also limited cohered understanding of what constitutes regenerative systems at social-ecological scales. In this perspective we present a conceptual, cross-disciplinary, and action-oriented regenerative systems framework, the Regenerative Lens, informed by a wide literature review. The framework emphasizes that regenerative systems maintain positive reinforcing cycles of wellbeing within and beyond themselves, especially between humans and wider nature, such that “life begets life.” We identify five key qualities needed in systems to encourage such dynamics: an ecological worldview embodied in human action; mutualism; high diversity; agency for humans and non-humans to act regeneratively; and continuous reflexivity. We apply the Lens to an envisioned future food system to illustrate its utility as a reflexive tool and for stretching ambition. We hope that the conceptual clarity provided here will aid the necessary acceleration of learning and action toward regenerative systems.
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    Transformative action towards regenerative food systems: a large-scale case study
    (PLOS (Public Library of Science), 2024-11-21) Buckton, Sam J.; Fazey, Ioan; Doherty, Bob; Bryant, Maria; Banwart, Steven A.; Carmen, Esther; Connolly, Annie; Denby, Katherine; Kendrick, Ian; Sharpe, Bill; Wade, Ruth N.; Ball, Peter; Bridle, Sarah; Gardner, Grace; James, Anthonia; Morris, Belinda; Stewart, Sophie; Bremner, Myles; Chapman, Pippa J.; Cordero, Juan Pablo; Geertsema, Henk; Nixon, Nicola; Om, Eugyen Suzanne; Sinclair, Maddie; Thornton, Jan; Yap, Christopher; Arnott, Dave; Cain, Michelle; Ehgartner, Ulrike; Fletcher, Ben; Garry, Jack; Hawkes, Corinna; Kluczkovski, Alana; Lait, Rebecca; Lovett, Adrian; Pickett, Kate E.; Reed, Melanie; Atkinson, Nathan; Black, Fiona; Blakeston, Mark; Burton, Wendy; Defeyter, Margaret Anne; Duncan, Naomi; Eastwood, Glynn; Everson, Ruth; Frankowska, Angelina; Frenneux, Tim; Gledhill, Dave; Goodwin, Sian; Holden, Harry; Ingle, Helen; Kane, Allison; Newman, Rebecca; Parry, Christine; Robertshaw, Victoria; Scrope, Tom; Sellstrom, Phillippa; Slater, Stephanie; Smith, Kim; Stacey, Ruth; Stott, Gary; Trickett, Alastair; Wilson, Jessica; Ashardiono, Fitrio
    We urgently need to foster regenerative food systems that mutually reinforce human and ecological health. However, we have limited understanding of the action pathways that could encourage the emergence of such systems. Here we report on an extensive Three Horizons futures process, conducted with diverse participation from food system researchers and practitioners, to identify core domains of action for transforming the food system of Yorkshire, UK, towards a regenerative future. After establishing the contrast between the current degenerative and envisioned future regenerative food system, six core action domains were identified that require support to enable transformation: 1) enhancing supply chain connectivity and innovation to support diverse hybrid business ecosystems; 2) scaling environmentally beneficial and regenerative farming; 3) empowering citizens to reshape food demand; 4) providing trusted, accessible knowledge support for standards and incentives; 5) supporting schools and young people as drivers of long-term change; and 6) ensuring coordination and mutual support across domains. Our results highlight the importance of efforts to cohere synergic action, ambitious visioning, and addressing issues of power. Overall, our study sets an ambitious standard for co-developing action priorities to encourage regenerative futures.