There has been a promising new trend in both UK (Dasgupta, 2021) and international policy (EEA, 2022, SEI & CEEW, 2022; Convention on Biological Diversity, 2022): emphasizing the human–nature relationship and nature connectedness as important targets. Given the robust evidence of strong relationship between nature connectedness and both human (e.g., Pritchard et al., 2020) and planetary wellbeing (e.g., Mackay & Schmitt, 2019), this trend, hopefully, represents a step in the right direction, toward a more sustainable future.

In our recent paper, Miles Richardson, Rosemary Aviste, and myself consider what it means to target the human—nature relationship. That is, based on considerable evidence of parallels between the nature connectedness literature and interpersonal relationship literature, we argue that the human–nature relationship is a relationship and likely requires the same ingredients to flourish as relationships between two people. We then go on to make a number of recommendations for policy, practice, and research.

In brief, our recommendations are that we must move beyond a sole focus on promoting access to green spaces—a necessary, but ultimately insufficient way of promoting a strong relationship with nature (you cant just put two people in a room and say “now, kiss” and expect them to have a close relationship, the same goes for nature). Instead, according to decades of research on interpersonal relationships, there must be a greater focus—in both research and in policy—on promoting intimacy and interdependence with nature likely through novel and exciting activities that involve reciprocity and trust with nature. Ultimately, this will also require a broader cultural shift in how we value relationships with nature, but I’ll let you read more to find out for yourself!

Lengieza, M. L., Aviste, R., Richardson, M. (2023). The Human–Nature Relationship as a Tangible Target for Pro-environmental Behaviour: Guidance from Interpersonal Relationships. Sustainability. 15(16), 12175; https://doi.org/10.3390/su151612175 (Download)

Referenced policies:

Convention on Biological Diversity. (2022). Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework.

Dasgupta, P. (2021). The economics of biodiversity: the Dasgupta review. Hm Treasury.

EEA. (2022). Exiting the Anthropocene? Exploring fundamental change in our relationship with nature. https://doi.org/doi:10.2800/37883

SEI & CEEW. (2022). Stockholm+50: Unlocking a Better Future. https://doi.org/10.51414/sei2022.011