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 this 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.
| Opportunity/Event | Important dates | Status |
| EM/2019/17 Online conferences: Scoping of the IPBES nexus and transformative change assessments | · 30 September – 2 October 2019: Online conference – scoping process for the nexus assessment · 9 – 11 October 2019: Online conference – scoping process for the transformative change assessment |
OPEN |
|
EM/2019/16 First external review now open for the IPBES sustainable use assessment |
The period for this first external review is from 27 August until 20 October 2019 | OPEN |
| EM/2019/15 Call for nominations of experts to assist with the scoping of the assessment on transformative change | Interested experts wishing to be nominated by a Government are requested to fill out their application form by 15 October 2019* | OPEN |
| EM/2019/14 Call for nominations of experts to assist with the scoping of the nexus assessment | Interested experts wishing to be nominated by a Government are requested to fill out their application form by 15 October 2019* | OPEN |
| EM/2019/13 First external review now open for the IPBES values assessment | The period for this first external review is from 29 July until 22 September 2019 | OPEN |
* 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 table 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): Natasha Lewis
- E-mail (nominator): Natasha.Lewis@defra.gov.uk
Your nomination will then be reviewed to ensure relevant experience and endorsed by Defra for onward transmission to the IPBES Secretariat. Once your nomination has been endorsed, you will receive an automated confirmation.
All UK nominated experts selected by the MEP to assist in delivering of the IPBES work programme should try and identify their own sources of funding in order to attend IPBES meetings. Defra has access to a limited resource to support attendance at IPBES meetings in 2018/19, and requests for funding should be made only where engagement is dependent on this support: Applications will be considered on a case-by-case basis (per meeting), and funding cannot be guaranteed for every meeting or for onward years. If applying for financial support to attend meetings, experts will need to set out what other sources of funding have been considered.
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