Photo: IISD/ENB (www.iisd.ca/ipbes/ipbes3/12jan.htm)
About IPBES
The Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES) provides policymakers with objective and reliable information about the state and development of biodiversity and ecosystem services. It was established in 2012 and is administered by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP). Its secretariat is in Bonn (Germany).
IPBES consists of:
- Official members: They take part in the IPBES plenaries and pass resolutions. Currently 136 states, including Germany, are represented in IPBES.
- Experts: Scientists and other experts that are nominated by governments and organisations and, for example, contribute as authors or reviewers or take part in task forces.
- Observers: Organisations, for example intergovernmental organisations, universities, societies or environmental associations can be accredited by IPBES and take part in IPBES plenaries as observers.
IPBES does not conduct scientific research on its own, but synthesises and evaluates global knowledge. From this knowledge it derives non-prescriptive recommendations and guidelines for the conservation of biological diversity, which supports policymakers in their work. IPBES also undertakes regular assessments of the current state of knowledge about biodiversity and ecosystem services.
More information about IPBES can be found here:
IPBES international: www.ipbes.net
IPBES Koordinierungsstelle für Deutschland (in German): www.de-ipbes.de/20.php
NeFo (Netzwerk-Forum zur Biodiversitätsforschung Deutschland; in German): www.biodiversity.de/de/ipbes-co
iDiv employees and members currently or previously active within IPBES
Prof Dr Aletta Bonn
“IPBES is the most important international science policy instrument for the protection of biodiversity. I hope that as many stakeholders as possible will be able to contribute, so that we can achieve the 2020 targets.”
Head of the Department Ecosystem Services at the Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research – UFZ, Professor at the Friedrich Schiller University Jena, and research group leader at the German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv) Halle-Jena-Leipzig
Ongoing:
- Contributor: Scoping process for 2030 rolling work programme, Regional/subregional Assessments on biodiversity and ecosystem services for Europe and Central Asia (ECA)
Past:
- Lead author: Chapter 7 (Scenarios); Thematic Assessment on Land Degradation and Restoration (2015–2018)
- Reviewer: Catalogue of policy support tools and methodologies (2014–2019)
- Chair: Working group IPBES of the Society for Ecology (GfÖ)
- Contributing author: Scoping process Europe and Central Asia Regional assessment on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (2014)
More information about the person:
Dr Carlos Antonio Guerra
“IPBES is currently the only global platform that assesses natures’ current and future conditions and its benefits to society. My main objective within IPBES is to highlight the need for global and systematic biodiversity and ecosystems monitoring.”
Scientist in the project ECOPOTENTIAL at Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg and at the research group Biodiversity Conservation at the German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv) Halle-Jena-Leipzig.
Past:
- Fellow: Chapter 3 (status and future of biodiversity); Europe and Central Asia Regional Assessment on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (2015–2018)
- Resource Person: Task force on Knowledge and Data
More information about the person:
Prof Dr Klaus Henle
Head of the Department Conservation Biology at the Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research – UFZ and Member of the German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv) Halle-Jena-Leipzig
Ongoing:
- Co-project leader: Flexpool-Project IPBES and its performance as reflexive, inter- and transdisciplinary interface for biodiversity research and policy
- Member: National ad hoc committee for the nomination of Germany-endorsed experts for scoping processes
Past:
- Contributing author: Assessment guide (2014–2015)
More information about the person:
HyeJin Kim
“IPBES has a unique and valuable set of knowledge and experiences to offer to sustainable future, and it will continue to do so with optimal success when the potential of scenarios and models is realized through decision making and behavioural change.”
Scientist at the research group Biodiversity Conservation at the German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv) Halle-Jena-Leipzig and the Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg
Ongoing:
- Fellow: Development of scenarios on nature and its contributions to people with IPBES expert group on Scenarios and Models
- Providing support to IPBES assessments on scenarios and models liaising with the Policy Support Taskforce
Past:
- Technical support (indicators for assessments) for the task force Knowledge and Data
- Contributing Author: IPBES Global Assessment, Chapter 4, "Plausible futures of nature, its contributions to people and their good quality of life"
More information about the person:
- www.idiv.de/groups_and_people/employees/details/eshow/kim_hyejin.html
Prof Dr Tiffany Marie Knight
“It is inspiring to be part of this important global synthesis on pollinators.”
Joint Alexander von Humboldt Professor at Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg and the Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research – UFZ and Head of the Department Spatial Interaction Ecology at the German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv) Halle-Jena-Leipzig
Past:
- Reviewer: Thematic Assessment on Pollinators, Pollination, and Food Production (2014–2016)
More information about the person:
Dr Melissa Marselle
“Solutions for conserving biodiversity lie in changing human behavior. IPBES acknowledges this with its focus on transformative change. As an environmental psychologist, my aim in IPBES is to highlight how change people’s behavior to protect nature for their own health and well-being.”
- Scientist at the German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv) Halle-Jena-Leipzig and the Department Community Ecology at the Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research – UFZ
Ongoing:
- Contributing Author: IPBES Values Assessment, Chapter 5, "Incorporating multiple values of nature and nature’s contributions to people for just and sustainable futures"
More information about the person:
Dr Laetitia Navarro
“IPBES is a platform where governments can actively express their needs for specific assessments on biodiversity and ecosystem services. Hence, I feel that my contribution can really have an impact on policy and society.”
Scientist/Executive secretary GEO BON at the German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv) Halle-Jena-Leipzig and at Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg.
Ongoing:
- GEOBON focal point to IPBES
Past:
- Lead author: Chapter 2 (Concepts and Perceptions); Thematic Assessment on Land Degradation and Restoration (2015–2018)
More information about the person:
Prof Dr Robert Paxton
“I joined IPBES because I felt it important to contribute to our understanding of how and why we are losing biodiversity, to highlight the consequences of those losses, and to try to reverse those losses.”
Professor for General Zoology at Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg and member of the German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv) Halle-Jena-Leipzig
Past:
- Lead author: Chapter 3 (status and trends); Thematic assessment of Pollinators, Pollination, and Food Production
More information about the person:
Prof Dr Henrique M. Pereira
“IPBES is a unique forum for providing decision-makers from over 100 countries with scientific information on the protection of biodiversity on our planet.”
Head of the research group Biodiversity Conservation at the German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv) Halle-Jena-Leipzig and Professor at Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg
Ongoing:
- Member: Task force Scenarios and modelling
Past:
- Co-Chair: Expert group Scenarios and Modelling (2016–2016)
- Coordinating lead author: Chapter 8 (Evaluation of Scenarios); Methodological Assessment on Scenarios and Modelling (2014–2016)
More information about the person:
Prof Dr Irene Ring
“Building bridges between natural sciences and social sciences, between science, politics, business and society – this is what we need for long-term, viable solutions for safeguarding biological diversity.”
Professor for Ecosystem Services at TU Dresden, International Institute (IHI) Zittau, and member of the German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv) Halle-Jena-Leipzig
Past:
Contributing author: Global Assessment, Chapter 6, "Options for Decision Makers" (2016 - 2019)
Coordinating Lead author: Chapter 6 (Governance); Europe and Central Asia Regional assessment on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (2015–2018)
- Expert: Expert group policy support tools and methodologies (2014 - 2019)
More information about the person:
Prof Dr Ralf Seppelt
“To show that biodiversity conservation is not just about protecting a unique natural world, but about protecting the foundation of our existence – that is what I see as the main task of IPBES.”
Head of the Department Computational Landscape Ecology at the Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research – UFZ, Professor at Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg and Member of the German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv) Halle-Jena-Leipzig
Ongoing:
Coordinating lead author: 2030 rolling work programme, deliverable 1(c) "Assessing the underlying causes of biodiversity loss and the determinants of transformative change and options for achieving the 2050 Vision for Biodiversity" (thematic assessment)
Past:
- Lead author: Global Assessment on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (2016–2019)
More information about the person:
Prof Dr Josef Settele
“I think it is important to get actively engaged in the IPBES process in order to create better frame conditions for maintaining natural and cultural global heritage.”
Scientist at the Department Community Ecology at the Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research – UFZ, Professor at Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg and Member of the German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv) Halle-Jena-Leipzig
Past:
- Co-Chair: Global Assessment on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (2016–2019)
- Lead author: Chapter 4 (Drivers) – Asia Pacific Regional assessment on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (2015–2018)
- Thematic Assessment on Pollinators, Pollination, and Food Production:
- Coordinating lead author: Chapter 2 (Drivers)
- Contributing author: Zusammenfassung für Entscheidungsträger
- Consultant: German Brochure
More Information on the Thematic Assessment on Pollinators, Pollination, and Food Production (in German): www.de-ipbes.de/289.php
More information about the person:
Dr Nicolas Titeux
Scientist at the German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv) Halle-Jena-Leipzig and the Department Community Ecology at the Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research – UFZ
Past:
- Assistant to Co-Chair: Global Assessment on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (2016–2019)
More information about the person:
- www.idiv.de/en/groups_and_people/employees/details/eshow/titeux_nicolas.html
- nicolastiteux.wordpress.com
Prof Dr Karsten Wesche
“The grasslands of Eurasia are amongst the largest terrestrial ecosystems. Their maintenance, and research into them, have been particularly important to me for years. It is for this reason that I am playing my part on this issue also within IPBES.”
Head of the Botany Department at the Senckenberg Museum for Natural History Görlitz, Professor for Biodiversity of Plants at TU Dresden, International Institute (IHI) Zittau, and Member of the German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv) Halle-Jena-Leipzig
Ongoing:
- Contributing author: Chapter 3 (status and trends); Asia Pacific Regional assessment on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (2015–2018)
Contributing author: Chapter 2 (Nature’s benefits to people ); Global Assessment on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (2016–2019)
More information about the person:
Dr Marten Winter
“My goal in IPBES is to use my expertise in order to make available knowledge on biodiversity in regions that have long been largely under-represented.”
Scientific coordinator of sDiv, the Synthesis Centre of the German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv) Halle-Jena-Leipzig and scientist at the Leipzig University
Past:
- Contributing author: Chapter 3 (status and trends) and Chapter 4 (Drivers); Europe and Central Asia Regional assessment on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (2015–2018)
- Co-Responsible person: Chapter 5 (Communication); Task Force Knowledge and datafor policymaking (2014–2019)
- Member: Unofficial expert group; Thematic Assessment on Invasive Alien Species (2016–2019)
More information about the person:
News from the iDiv consortium with reference to IPBES:
6. Mai 2019: Weltbiodiversitätsrat IPBES stellt lang erwarteten Globalen Bericht vor.
Pressemitteilung iDiv:
https://www.idiv.de/de/news/archiv-2019/news-2019-single-view.html?tx_ttnews%5Btt_news%5D=1518&cHash=ad792ef36f79e04b7a0ef05e3656d335
12. Dezember 2016: Prof. Dr. Josef Settele wurde zu einem der Vorsitzenden für das Globale Assessment des Weltbiodiversitätsrates berufen:
„Alles, was wir über Ökosysteme wissen. Und über Artenvielfalt.“
Josef Settele im Forschungsquartett von detektor.fm
Podcast anhören
Pressemitteilung UFZ:
http://www.ufz.de/index.php?de=36336&webc_pm=52/2016
Pressemitteilung BMBF / BMU:
https://www.bmbf.de/de/globale-bestandsaufnahme-zur-biologischen-vielfalt-angelaufen-3694.html
Weitere Meldungen zu IPBES:
März 2016: Prof. Dr. Josef Settele und Dr. Carsten Neßhöver im Resonator-Podcast:
https://resonator-podcast.de/2016/res081-der-weltbiodiversitaetsrat/
März 2016: Standpunkt „Erste Erfolge des Weltbiodiversitätsrates nicht ausbremsen“
http://www.ufz.de/index.php?de=40797
Februar 2016: Interview „Ein guter Bericht, der viele Akteure einbezieht“
http://www.ufz.de/index.php?de=40268
Januar 2015: Interview „Der Weltbiodiversitätsrat IPBES tagt in Bonn“
http://www.ufz.de/index.php?de=36804
April 2013: Standpunkt: „An die Arbeit, aber welche und wer? Der Weltbiodiversitätsrat IPBES startet in sein erstes Jahr“ www.ufz.de/index.php
