The Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES) is the intergovernmental body which assesses the state of biodiversity and of the ecosystem services it provides to society, in response to requests from decision makers.
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.
To date, 30 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; 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.
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
UK IPBES Stakeholder Network
To join the UK IPBES Stakeholder Network please enter your contact details and preferences into the registration form.
Through the UK IPBES Stakeholder Network, we offer:
- a programme of meetings and workshops for UK stakeholders and experts;
- communications on opportunities and outputs from IPBES;
- information on the structure and processes of IPBES; and
- communications on other MEAs and related opportunities.
After joining the UK IPBES Stakeholder Network you can change your mind at any time by clicking the unsubscribe 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
Upcoming Events and Opportunities
The current opportunities and upcoming events are listed below. Further information on previous opportunities and events are available on the IPBES notifications pages.
*IPBES have issued a call for nominations of experts to assist with the scoping of the business and biodiversity assessment. This methodological assessment aims to categorise how business depends on, and impacts, biodiversity and nature’s contributions to people. It will identify criteria and indicators for measuring that dependence and impact, taking into consideration how such metrics can be integrated into other aspects of sustainability.
Potential nominees are invited to fill out the application form and attach their curriculum vitae, through the dedicated web portal (please follow the link in the upcoming events and opportunities table above for details on how to access this). This form includes a section titled “Details of Government / Organisation supporting your nomination”: Nominations can either be supported by government members of IPBES, or another stakeholder. If you wish for Defra to support your nomination, you should complete Section B as follows:
Type of nomination body: Government
Name of country: United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
Position of contact person: UK IPBES National Focal Point
Full name (nominator): Dr Andrew Stott
E-mail (nominator): andrew.stott@defra.gov.uk
Your application will automatically be forwarded to the UK National Focal Point for review and endorsement prior to being accepted by the IPBES Secretariat.
As outlined in the published call, IPBES is seeking experts and practitioners with expertise in impact and dependency on biodiversity and nature’s contributions to people of different economic sectors such as forestry, agriculture and fisheries, water, tourism, energy and mining, built environment and infrastructure, manufacturing and processes, health and financial institutions. Experts are sought from a diversity of backgrounds including academic, business and industry, and a diversity of disciplines, expertise and domains including knowledge of environmental accounting, corporate social responsibility, environmental justice, value and supply chains, indicators, monitoring and disclosure, and ecology.
In addition, the UK will give preference to experts with experience formulating advice for governments, public bodies or international bodies with respect to business activities. The UK National Focal Point will consider the endorsement of nominations based on these criteria so please ensure that your application demonstrates how you meet them.
If your nomination is endorsed, you will receive an automated confirmation. The IPBES Multidisciplinary Expert Panel (MEP) will select experts from the nominations that have been endorsed by governments or stakeholders taking into account expertise, regional balance and gender balance. All nominated experts (Nominees) will need to be available to attend the scoping meeting that is part of the scoping process, tentatively scheduled for 26–30 April 2021. It is expected that the meeting will be held virtually and no expenses will be payable. Experts will be required to complete a conflict of interest declaration before participation in the meeting.
For further information on the UK nomination process please contact Katie Beckett (katie.beckett@defra.gov.uk).
Please note the closing date for submitting nominations is 25 January 2021.
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