Universities have long contributed research that informs global biodiversity policy. But what if they became implementation partners, not just knowledge providers? The Conservation and Sustainability Consortium of AcaDEmic Institutions (CASCADE) was established to answer this question. Bringing together 35 UK universities and higher education institutions, CASCADE aims to create more systematic connections between governments and academic institutions, helping countries access expertise in areas that will inform policy development and implementation, such as research, monitoring, and capacity-building and development.

Its approach helps governments identify the academic expertise they need while helping universities understand the practical priorities countries are trying to address through their National Biodiversity Strategies and Action Plans (NBSAPs). As Newcastle University Professor and CASCADE co-leader, Philip McGowan noted, “many academics are eager to undertake applied, impact-oriented work that directly supports implementation of biodiversity policy. But, they can only do so if they understand what countries need.” 

Through its mission and work, CASCADE is demonstrating what becomes possible when the expertise of universities is systematically connected to country-led biodiversity priorities.

Founded in 1834, Newcastle University is one of the United Kingdom’s leading research-intensive universities. Today, with campuses in the United Kingdom, Singapore, and Malaysia, the University advances world-leading research and education to help address global challenges through innovation, collaboration, and partnership.

Building on this tradition, and that of many other UK universities, CASCADE was established in 2023 to strengthen the contribution of higher education institutions to biodiversity conservation and sustainable development. It aims to coordinate a “one-stop shop” that connects governments with academic expertise to support implementation of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework.

CASCADE’s development coincided with the emergence of the country-led NBSAP Accelerator Partnership. The consortium first connected with the Accelerator in late 2023, at a CBD side event. Subsequent discussions throughout 2024 cemented during CBD COP16 in Cali, Colombia as the initiatives recognized a natural complementarity: CASCADE could mobilize academic expertise, while the Accelerator’s MatchMaking Mechanism could connect that expertise directly to country-led priorities and requests for support.

One of CASCADE’s primary contributions is strengthening relationships between governments and higher education institutions. Rather than replacing national expertise, CASCADE seeks to strengthen relationships between governments and their own universities, allowing scientific knowledge, institutional capacity, and investment to remain within countries long after individual projects conclude.

McGowan believes this represents one of the most catalytic opportunities for implementing the Global Biodiversity Framework: “If a Party can develop relationships with its own academic institutions, the money to finance implementation of the Framework would be staying within this biodiversity science and policy interface.”

He further explained:

CASCADE’s work spans research, technical advice, training, curriculum development, monitoring, and behaviour change. Its members contribute expertise across conservation science, biodiversity indicators, forestry, fisheries, climate change, restoration, environmental education, and policy.

Its work supports country-led implementation through co-created research, knowledge exchange and capacity-building and helps countries access expertise across a wide range of disciplines. Recent initiatives include synthesising evidence on behaviour change needed to implement the Global Biodiversity Framework, identifying monitoring gaps under Target 5 through the development of a draft indicator, improving the accessibility of Global Biodiversity Framework guidance for smaller Parties, and strengthening gender-responsive implementation.

Rather than beginning with academic interests, CASCADE starts with country priorities and works backwards to identify institutions capable of supporting those needs. This approach helps countries sequence implementation, identify achievable early wins, and build momentum toward longer-term biodiversity goals.

Education and knowledge exchange underpin much of CASCADE’s work. The consortium supports curriculum development, postgraduate education, professional training, peer-to-peer learning, and technology transfer, recognising that implementing biodiversity policy requires skilled practitioners at every level—from secondary school classrooms through to government agencies and research institutions.

The MatchMaking Mechanism connects countries and partners to accelerate NBSAP implementation and achieve the Global Biodiversity Framework and its 23 targets.

When Liberia submitted three requests focused on biodiversity education, higher education, and scientific capacity-building, the NBSAP Accelerator Partnership recognised a strong alignment with CASCADE’s expertise. Following COP16, Newcastle University formally joined the Accelerator on behalf of CASCADE, allowing the consortium to respond directly to Liberia’s priorities.

McGowan explained: “We became aware that there were three projects from Liberia that could benefit from academic partners… Within a month or two, we began reviewing the project requests, shared them across our network, organised three expert groups—one for each project—and then started conversations with the NBSAP Accelerator Partnership, who helped facilitate connections with the Liberian partners.”

Liberia’s three proposals focus on strengthening postgraduate programmes in forestry and climate change at the University of Liberia; modernising fisheries and aquaculture education through peer learning and technology transfer; and integrating biodiversity into the national secondary school curriculum through teacher training, learning materials, and pilot implementation.

CASCADE established multidisciplinary working groups for each project and convened a series of meetings with Liberian partners to refine priorities, identify technical expertise, and begin co-designing support.

The Liberia partnership demonstrates the potential for academic institutions to play a deeper role in NBSAP implementation by providing technical advice and helping countries build lasting national capacity. At the immediate project level, the collaboration supports priority needs identified by Liberia, strengthening expertise in forestry, fisheries, aquaculture, biodiversity education, and research. At a broader level, it demonstrates how partnerships between governments and universities can strengthen the science-policy interface and reduce reliance on short-term external expertise.

Beyond supporting Liberia’s immediate priorities, McGowan believes the collaboration demonstrates a wider model for implementing the Global Biodiversity Framework. It shows how universities can contribute not only research, but also curriculum development, long-term training, institutional partnerships, and scientific cooperation—helping countries strengthen their own science-policy systems rather than relying on external consultants.

“I see the collaboration with Liberia as catalytic on several levels… Beyond Liberia, this highlights the wider potential of the MatchMaking Mechanism, showing how academic institutions can support strategic capacity-building and the effective implementation of the Global Biodiversity Framework.”

For McGowan, the Liberia match illustrates why effective matchmaking requires more than simply connecting organizations—it requires understanding needs, building trust, and ensuring that partnerships have long-term potential.

Through collaborations like the Liberia partnership, CASCADE is showcasing how academic institutions can move beyond knowledge production to an important role in accelerating implementation. McGowan sees the long-term opportunity as helping countries develop stronger relationships with their own academic institutions.