Speaking louder than words: An actionable communication framework supporting evidence-informed environmental policy

Disagreements persist on how to increase scientific evidence uptake in biodiversity conservation policymaking. Communication experts recommend using dialogical and participatory practices over linear dissemination of research outcomes. Current science-policy interface scholarship however, lacks insights from theoretical developments in science communication, which support scientists in implementing a full range of communication goals including promoting, informing, persuading, and co-creating actionable knowledge. To fill this gap, we use a three-stage approach: identification of 64 communication practices extracted from interdisciplinary literature; an analysis of practices and identification of communication goals; and development of the Science-Policy Interface Communication for the Environment (SPICE) Actionable Framework. The SPICE Framework consists of five models: Policy-oriented Dissemination, the more personalized Policymaker-oriented Dissemination, effective two-way Dialogue, Collaboration and Participation in creating knowledge together, and a novel Supporting model focusing on building relations and trust. Modeling communication practices suggested in the literature according to the SPICE Framework, reveals that dissemination is supported by many more practices than either dialogue or participation. Practices convey strategies to tailor messages to policymakers' interests and nurture relationships of trust, but overlook hostile political environments frequently encountered by scientists. Specific guidance on how to portray biodiversity loss as a policy-relevant issue is lacking. As a result, scientists may lack the tools to effectively promote dialogue and collaboration or communicate successfully within confrontational and partisan political environments, particularly when addressing conservation policy. This study highlights the need for interdisciplinary theoretical frameworks to support robust recommendations for science-policy communicators, with a particular focus on sustainability and conservation policy.