Overview of global initiatives and their relevance for the EU context Workshop on Mapping and Assessment of Ecosystems and their Services - Brussels, 22 September 2011 Claire Brown, UNEP-WCMC

The Aim of this Presentation To provide a background on global initiatives relating to ecosystem assessments. To highlight aspects of these relevant to the EC and the 27 members states. Ecosystem Assessments 24 November, 2018

What is an Ecosystem Assessment? Links ecosystems, services and people Connects different sectors Communicates complex information Engages stakeholders Is not primary research! Ecosystem Assessments 24 November, 2018

A Range of Assessment Process Millennium Ecosystem Assessment (MA) International Assessment of Agricultural Science and Technology for Development (IAASTD) Global Environment Outlook (GEO 5) Global Biodiversity Outlook (GBO 3) Global Forest Resources Assessment (FRA 2010) The Economics of Ecosystems and Biodiversity (TEEB) Regular Process for GRAME (Marine) Ecosystem Assessments 24 November, 2018

Millennium Ecosystem Assessment Launched in 2001 and released in 2005 Provided an evidence base - linking ecosystem change to HWB 24 Ecosystem services assessed A global assessment and with a number of SGAs completed Ecosystem Assessments 24 November, 2018

The MA Follow-up Process 2009 to 2011 Global strategy to turn knowledge into action based around 4 objectives Continuing to build and improve the knowledge base (SGA network) Promoting the systematic application of ecosystem service considerations Disseminating the findings of the MA and its conceptual framework Exploring the needs, options and modalities of a 2nd assessment (IPBES) Ecosystem Assessments 24 November, 2018

The Economics of Ecosystems and Biodiversity (TEEB) Launch in 2007 and completed in 2009 A global assessment with small scale case studies Focus on the value of ecosystems and their services Provided a series of reports for different end users: for ecologists and economists (TEEB D0) for international and national policy makers (TEEB D1) for local and regional policy (TEEB D2) for business (TEEB D3) for citizens (TEEB-D4) Ecosystem Assessments 24 November, 2018

TEEB Phase III – 2011 - Will focus on the following three areas: Policy Business Communications/outreach The objective : to mainstream TEEB beyond the biodiversity policy sphere while ensuring scientific credibility.   Many national studies have begun throughout Europe Workshop on exchange of TEEB process in European Countries – led by the German Government Ecosystem Assessments 24 November, 2018

The AoA & Regular Process for Global Reporting and Assessment of the State of the Marine Environment AoA was a review of the global marine assessment landscape for the purpose of determining possible options and a framework for a Regular Process Includes ecosystem services First Integrated Assessment due in 2014 Ecosystem Assessments 24 November, 2018

2008-2010 Ad-hoc intergovernmental and multi-stakeholder meetings To strengthen the science-policy interface for biodiversity and ecosystem services for the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity, long-term human well‑being and sustainable development. 2008-2010 Ad-hoc intergovernmental and multi-stakeholder meetings June 2010 Countries reached agreement on the establishment of IPBES Busan Outcome UN General Assembly (16/162) and UNEP Governing Council (Decision 26) instructed UNEP to identify how to operationalise IPBES Ecosystem Assessments 24 November, 2018

Next Steps... 1 Plenary over 2 sessions: How to operationalise IPBES 1 Plenary over 2 sessions: 3 – 7 October 2011 – principles and procedures, governance structure, processes for nomination and selection of host institution(s) and country and initial discussion on the work programme Early 2012 – Determine the modalities and institutional arrangements and detailed draft work programme. Work Programme: knowledge generation, assessment, policy support tools and capacity building Ecosystem Assessments 24 November, 2018

Busan Outcome (UNEP/IPBES/3/3) “The new platform should perform regular and timely assessments of knowledge on biodiversity and ecosystem services and their interlinkages, which should include comprehensive global, regional and, as necessary, subregional assessments and thematic issues at appropriate scales and new topics identified by science and as decided upon by the plenary. These assessments must be scientifically credible, independent and peer-reviewed, and must identify uncertainties. There should be a clear and transparent process for sharing and incorporating relevant data. The new platform should maintain a catalogue of relevant assessments, identify the need for regional and subregional assessments and help to catalyse support for subregional and national assessments, as appropriate”. (UNEP/IPBES/3/3 paragraph 6c) Ecosystem Assessments 24 November, 2018

Options for Assessment (UNEP/IPBES.MI/1/INF/4/Add.1) Number of options for implementing assessment under IPBES Things to be considered: Priorities for assessment, including information at the most useful scale and integration of assessments Incorporation of different knowledge types Valuation and it communication Models, scenarios and indicators New topics Selection of authors and peer review Inter linkages between the elements of the work programme Ecosystem Assessments 24 November, 2018

Where are the SGAs? Ecosystem Assessments 24 November, 2018

Sub-global Assessment Network Secretariat hosted at UNEP-WCMC & The Cropper Foundation Objective: Create a common platform for practitioners to: Build capacity Training Examples of best practice Developing e-learning tools Interactions between assessments Website and resource materials Linking SGAs to the scientific community Support global processes – providing building blocks Ecosystem Assessments 24 November, 2018

Sub-global Assessment Network Who is the network aimed at: Current ecosystem assessment New ecosystem assessments Initiatives using specialised assessment approaches for decision-making Project developing tools and approaches for assessments Contact: assessment@unep-wcmc.org www.ecosystemassessments.net Ecosystem Assessments 24 November, 2018