Table 3 Options to build capacity and raise awareness about carbon sequestration and storage and biodiversity conservation

Low SV carbon, low SV biodiversity

Discount areas: neither socially acceptable nor of high biological priority to conserve

Scientifically defensible but not socially acceptable for biodiversity conservation. Focal areas for education about biodiversity values.

Scientifically defensible for but not socially acceptable for carbon mitigation. Focal areas for education about carbon values.

Scientifically defensible for carbon mitigation and biodiversity conservation, but low social acceptability for each outcome. Critical areas for education about both the biodiversity and carbon mitigation benefits of NBS.

Low SV carbon, high SV biodiversity

Opportunistic biodiversity conservation efforts may take place; further community engagement recommended to determine why these areas are biologically important to the community but of low carbon value.

Socially acceptable and scientifically defensible areas for biodiversity conservation, but not carbon mitigation actions. Priority areas for biodiversity conservation efforts, irrespective of carbon outcomes.

Mixed views across local and scientific communities. Areas with the highest potential for conflict.

Shared conservation priorities. Further community engagement recommended to determine why these areas are biologically important to the community but of low carbon value.

High SV carbon, low SV biodiversity

Important only to the community for carbon mitigation. Further community engagement recommended to determine why these areas are important for carbon mitigation.

Mixed views across local and scientific communities. Areas with the highest potential for conflict.

Socially acceptable and scientifically defensible for carbon mitigation, but not biodiversity conservation. Invest in carbon neutrality efforts only.

Socially acceptable and scientifically defensible for both carbon mitigation and biodiversity conservation actions but conflicting views on biodiversity outcomes. Priorities for education and awareness raising about biodiversity values.

High SV carbon, high SV biodiversity

Socially acceptable areas for both biodiversity conservation and carbon mitigation, but not scientifically defensible for either value type. Here it is crucial to recognise the plurality in what biodiversity means to different people of diverse worldviews and knowledge systems.

Socially acceptable for both biodiversity conservation and carbon mitigation, but only scientifically defensible for biodiversity conservation. Need to determine why these areas are important to the community for carbon mitigation.

Socially acceptable for both biodiversity conservation and carbon mitigation, but only scientifically defensible for carbon mitigation. Community engagement recommended to determine why these areas are biologically important to the community.

Priority areas for management given their high level of social acceptability and scientific defensibility.