Pathways to a nature positive agricultural sector

Agriculture threatens biodiversity globally, yet presents opportunities for delivering a nature positive vision. Despite a proliferation of nature positive commitments, most nations are failing to deliver transformative improvements consistent with a nature positive future. In light of current biodiversity decline, practical pathways for transition are urgently needed. Here we show how visioning and backcasting can be used to generate an expert-led roadmap to achieve nature positive goals for the agricultural sector, using Australia as a case study. Eighteen interdisciplinary experts identified potential targets, actions, actors, barriers and enablers required to achieve a shared vision for a nature positive sector by 2050. The resulting roadmap indicates that immediate action to prevent further loss of native species and vegetation on farms, incentivise the adoption of sustainable production systems, and measure and report on the effectiveness of sustainability interventions, will set us on a path towards a nature positive future.