IPBES Releases Two New Reports on Biodiversity
The Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES) presented two reports at a press conference in Windhoek, Namibia, on December 18, 2024. The reports provide an assessment and summary of existing knowledge to help governments and organizations address environmental challenges collectively and sustainably.
IPBES is an intergovernmental body established to provide policymakers with the best scientific data on biodiversity. Similar to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), IPBES focuses on the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity, the long-term well-being of humanity, and sustainable development. The publication of these two reports is based on an in-depth scientific analysis conducted by international experts. It aims to identify the complex links between environmental crises and to propose concrete and sustainable actions to address them.
Transformative Changes
The report on transformative change addresses the root and underlying causes of biodiversity loss. It focuses on the changes needed to achieve a sustainable future by analyzing the social, economic, and political factors that hinder these changes. This report identifies strategies to overcome these obstacles and accelerate the necessary transitions. The goal is to inform decision-makers about the actions needed to bring about sustainable transformations and achieve the Convention on Biological Diversity’s Vision 2050 for humanity to live in harmony with nature. The IPBES team within theUM Strategic Programs DirectorateUM responsible for coordinating the production of this report.
Publication of the IPBES Report
Planet in Peril: The IPBES report outlines options for achieving the urgent, transformative change needed to halt the collapse of biodiversity.
The focus is on the underlying causes of the biodiversity crisis and options for a just and sustainable world. Taking immediate action could generate 10,000 billion dollars in value.
The Nexus Report
The Nexus Report explores the links between biodiversity, water, food, health, climate change, and the energy system. Led by experts from around the world, it examines the synergies, trade-offs, and policy options for implementing sustainable changes in these various sectors. It highlights integrated solutions to environmental and socioeconomic crises that exacerbate one another when addressed separately. This report underscores the importance of global governance aimed at strengthening the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and avoiding the costs of inaction in the face of environmental challenges.
The Technical Support Unit, which coordinates the IPBES-supported assessment, has been hosted by the University of Montpellier since April 2022.
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