What is IPBES?
In 2012 the world’s governments agreed to establish the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES) as a mechanism for strengthening the global science-policy interface for biodiversity and ecosystem services. Since then, IPBES has become the leading intergovernmental body for assessing the state of the planet's biodiversity, its ecosystems and the essential contributions they provide to society.
The most prominent aspects of the IPBES work programme are the assessments on themes such as pollination and land degradation and methods such as modelling and valuation. Following on from four regional assessments, the 2019 Global Assessment of Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services helps to inform better policies and actions in the coming decade, by providing the first global synthesis of the state of nature and ecosystems since the landmark Millennium Ecosystem Assessment was published in 2005.
Not only does this work provide policymakers with objective scientific assessments and support the needs of other Multilateral Environmental Agreements (MEAs), JNCC uses the outputs provided by IPBES to inform its own evidence-based approach to providing advice on reducing pressures and impacts on biodiversity both in the UK and internationally.
JNCC provides support to Defra in representing the UK’s interests at the annual IPBES Plenary as well as at the extensive programme of stakeholder meetings and workshops supported by experts in the biodiversity and ecosystem service field. Defra and JNCC are also responsible for reviewing IPBES papers and assessments, and organising meetings to engage UK experts and stakeholders.
In late 2024, two assessments were finalised and accepted by the Members of the Platform at the IPBES-11 meeting in Namibia.
The Thematic Assessment report on Interlinkages among Biodiversity, Water, Food and Health
The report assesses the complex interconnections between the five ‘nexus elements’ of biodiversity, water, food, health and climate change, and explores various response options to maximise co-benefits across them. The assessment reports that biodiversity is declining at every level, from global to local and across every region, and that this is having a direct and dire impact on food security and nutrition, water quality and availability, health and well-being outcomes, resilience to climate change and almost all of nature’s other contributions to people. After assessing 186 different future scenarios, the report highlights that those scenarios focussing on synergies between the nexus elements have the best likely outcomes for meeting global biodiversity goals. The report outlines more than 70 response options to help sustainably manage the nexus elements synergistically. The Nexus Assessment has been prepared for over three years by more than 100 leading experts, with 16 experts coming from the UK.
The Thematic Assessment report on the Underlying Causes of Biodiversity Loss and the Determinants of Transformative Change and Options for Achieving the 2050 Vision for Biodiversity
The report highlights the urgent need for deep, fundamental shifts in how people view and interact with the natural world in order to halt and reverse biodiversity loss and safeguard life on Earth. The report identifies three underlying causes of biodiversity loss, four principles to guide deliberative transformative change, and five key strategies and associated actions that have complementary and synergistic effects and which countries and people can pursue to advance deliberate transformative change for global sustainability. The Transformative Change Assessment has been prepared over three years by more than 100 leading experts, with six experts coming from the UK.
UK IPBES Stakeholder Network
To support effective UK engagement with IPBES, JNCC has built the UK IPBES Stakeholder Network. Through this Network we provide communications on opportunities and outputs from IPBES.
For any queries regarding UK IPBES please email: ipbes@jncc.gov.uk
What are the benefits of joining?
JNCC has a vested interest and obligation to disseminate knowledge pertaining to nature conservation. This Stakeholder Network supports this duty by helping us engage with other professionals in related fields and with any persons interested in UK biodiversity conservation.
To date, over 100 UK experts across the disciplines of natural science, economics and social research have contributed to the work programme of IPBES as: assessment co-chairs; co-ordinating lead authors; lead authors and review editors; fellows; and task force members. IPBES provides an excellent opportunity to showcase UK scientific excellence, and experts also gain further experience working at the science policy interface.
By registering to be a part of this network, stakeholders will be offered:
- communications on opportunities and outputs from IPBES;
- information on the structure and processes of IPBES; and
- opportunities to join webinars and events related to IPBES and the UK’s involvement with IPBES.
Can you join the IPBES Stakeholder Network?
Do you have an interest in the ongoings of the IPBES work programme?
Do you work in a related field?
Do you just want to learn more about IPBES?
The IPBES Stakeholder Network is open to anyone interested.
Those interested in joining this Network can register using this form.
If you no longer want to be a part of the UK IPBES Stakeholder Network you can unsubscribe by clicking the link in the footer of any email you receive from us, or by contacting us at ipbes@jncc.gov.uk.
Personal data collected in this registration process will be processed by JNCC in compliance with data protection law and will not be shared with any other party.
Please refer to JNCC’s Privacy Notice for more information about how JNCC handles personal data and your privacy rights.
How to become an IPBES expert
The IPBES Secretariat regularly issues calls for nominations of experts to participate in their assessments (most recently for the Nexus Assessment and the Transformative Change Assessment). For further information visit How to become an IPBES expert.
Upcoming Events and Opportunities
Further information on previous and upcoming opportunities and events is available on the IPBES notifications page.
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