Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES)
The Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES), or in German, the Weltbiodiversitätsrat, was established in 2012. The platform conducts regular assessments and produces reports on the status and trends of biodiversity and ecosystem services.
The Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES), or in German, the Weltbiodiversitätsrat, was established in 2012. The platform conducts regular assessments and produces reports on the status and trends of biodiversity and ecosystem services. These assessments are based on existing scientific literature. Austria has been a member of the platform since 2013.
Assessment Report on Transformative Change
Assessment Report on the Underlying Causes of Biodiversity Loss and the Determinants of Transformative Change and Options for Achieving the 2050 Vision for Biodiversity (in German: Bewertungsbericht über die grundlegenden Ursachen des Verlusts der biologischen Vielfalt und die Determinanten eines transformativen Wandels sowie Optionen für die Verwirklichung der Vision 2050 für die biologische Vielfalt)
From December 10 to 16, 2024, the 11th plenary session of IPBES reviewed the assessment on the underlying causes of biodiversity loss, the factors influencing transformative change, and options for achieving the 2050 vision for biodiversity.
Transformative change is defined as a fundamental, system-wide shift in views, structures, and practices. Scientists prepared the assessment based on existing literature. Additionally, a Summary for Policymakers (SPM) was adopted. This summary highlights key findings and serves as a guide for policymakers, facilitating the implementation of necessary measures for change.
ipbes.net/transformative-change-assessment
Nexus Assessment: Biodiversity, Water, Food, and Health
This assessment examines how biodiversity, water, food, and health are interconnected, interact, and influence each other. The content was negotiated alongside the Transformative Change Assessment and the Scoping Report for a Second Global Assessment at the 11th IPBES plenary in December 2024 in Windhoek, Namibia.
A Summary for Policymakers (SPM) was also prepared for this assessment, providing a scientifically based guide for decision-makers to implement measures and facilitate positive change, similar to the Transformative Change SPM.
Scoping Report for a Second Global Assessment of Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services
(in German: Scoping-Bericht für eine zweite globale Bewertung der biologischen Vielfalt und der Ökosystemleistungen)
From December 10 to 16, 2024, in Windhoek, Namibia, IPBES’s 11th plenary session discussed and approved the Scoping Report for a Second Global Assessment. This report outlines planned content and methodologies.
It builds on the first Global Assessment Report on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services from 2019, which provided the first global scientific review of biodiversity and ecosystem services. The Scoping Report continues this work, analyzing the latest findings and changes. Like the first report, it will rely on scientific literature, and its findings will be summarized in a Summary for Policymakers for use by decision-makers.
ipbes.net/second-global-assessment
Biodiversity Austria International
To strengthen cooperation between the Austrian Biodiversity Council and the Ministry for Climate Action, the project “Biodiversity Austria International” was launched in December 2024. Developed at the Biodiversity Hub Austria in Krems in collaboration with the University of Vienna, the platform serves as Austria’s national interface to IPBES. It aims to enhance the contribution of Austrian expertise and provide the Council’s findings to Austrian policymakers.