Déjà vu All Over Again - IPBES

Becca Madsen on July 1, 2010 Comment

The Economics of Ecosystems and Biodiversity (TEEB) Report is supposed to be the 'Stern Report' for biodiversity. Well now we have the 'IPCC' of biodiversity: the Intergovernmental Science Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES). The IPBES is meant to provide science to catalyze policy action on biodiversity.

Some examples of the role the IPBES could play: making global reports on biodiversity more coordinated and meaningful by matching up methodologies and standards; bringing scientific expertise on new topics to attention before major policies are passed (eg - scientific pros/cons of biofuels); "encouraging research in neglected areas, as well as providing research and conservation opportunities in developing countries." (MongaBay)

UNEP boss Achim Steiner said "IPBES represents a major breakthrough in terms of organizing a global response to the loss of living organisms and forests, freshwaters, coral reefs and other ecosystems that generate multi-trillion dollar services that underpin all life-including economic life-on Earth."

The green light for the IPBES was given by delegates from 85 nations. The pass-off for full approval goes to the UN General Assembly in September 2010, with later endorsement by individual country environmental ministers attending a February 2011 UNEP Governing Council/Global Ministerial session.

Sources:
UNEP Press Release 6/11/2010
BBC 6/14/2010
MongaBay 6/14/2010
IUCN website 6/2010