IPBES is an independent, intergovernmental body established in 2012 to provide evidence-based, objective, and policy-relevant information to decision makers regarding the planet’s biodiversity, ecosystems, and the benefits they provide to people. The Platform’s work is divided into four functions: developing assessments on specific themes or methodological issues at global and regional scales; providing policy support through the development of tools and methodologies and facilitating their use; building the capacity and knowledge of members; and ensuring impact through an effective communication and outreach strategy.

The ninth session of the IPBES Plenary, the highest governing body, adopted the following major documents:

• the summary for policymakers (SPM) and acceptance of the individual chapters of the thematic assessment of the sustainable use of wild species (‘Sustainable Use Assessment’);
• the SPM and acceptance of the individual chapters of the methodological assessment of the diverse conceptualization of multiple values of nature and its benefits, including biodiversity and ecosystem functions and services (‘Values Assessment’);
• the scoping report for a methodological assessment of the impact and dependence of business on biodiversity and nature’s contributions to people (‘Business and Biodiversity Assessment’); and
• the work programme deliverables and work plans of the five IPBES task forces for the inter-sessional period 2022-2023.

The representative of the Czech Republic, speaking in the opening plenary for the EU, underscored that IPBES is a highly regarded source of information on the worrying state of world biodiversity. He noted that IPBES deliverables will be crucial for the post-2020 global biodiversity framework (GBF) and highlighted the Platform’s role as a bridge between science and policy. He drew attention to the interdependence of the biodiversity and climate crises, and expressed full solidarity with Ukraine.

The SPM of the Sustainable Use Assessment includes a short introduction and four thematic sections: Section A, entitled ‘Sustainable use of wild species is critical for people and nature’; Section B, entitled ‘Status and trends in the use of wild species’; Section C, entitled ‘Key elements and conditions for the sustainable use of wild species’; and Section D, entitled ‘Pathways and levers to promote sustainable use and enhance the sustainability of the use of wild species in a dynamic future’.

The SPM of the Values Assessment contains 10 key messages, four background messages, and an appendix on communication of the degree of confidence. Among the key messages are:

• Despite increasing calls for considering valuation in policy decisions, scientific documentation shows less than 5% of published valuation studies report an uptake in policy decisions.
• Achieving sustainable and just futures requires institutions that enable recognition and integration of diverse values of nature and nature’s contributions to people.
• Information, resource (i.e. technical and financial) and capacity gaps hinder the inclusion of diverse values of nature in decision-making. Capacity building and development, and collaborations among a range of societal actors can help bridge these gaps.

The adopted scoping report for the Business and Biodiversity Assessment foresees that the assessment will strengthen the knowledge base to support efforts by businesses to achieve the 2050 Vision for Biodiversity and the three objectives of the Convention on Biological Diversity. It will also support the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and its Sustainable Development Goals, and inform other relevant MEAs’ processes and efforts. The assessment will be global in scope and address issues related to all sectors and business types. The assessment is expected to hold its first author meeting in the second quarter of 2023, and to finalise draft chapters and the SPM to be presented to IPBES-12 in the second half of 2025.

The Czech Republic, on behalf of the EU, emphasised the importance of biodiversity for livelihoods and all life on Earth, and the key role of the Platform in enabling policymakers to take well-informed and relevant decisions. He thanked delegates for their active engagement and stimulating discussions, and highlighted the ‘first-class media coverage’, making IPBES’ work known to millions. 

More information:

• IPBES Website
• IPBES 9 documents website
• SPM sustainable use assessment
• SPM values assessment
• IISD summary of IPBES 9