Strengthening the Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services Africa Consultation on IPBES May 2010 Nairobi, Kenya Peter Gilruth, Director, DEWA

Context The background documents requested by the 2 nd IPBES meeting, include: Assessment landscape State of play of existing and current indicators Current and planned capacity building activities IPCC governance structure and procedures Options and criteria for a possible Secretariat Indicative budget

Assessment landscape Assessments are critical evaluations of information designed to guide decision-making on complex issues What does the assessment landscape paper review?

Assessment landscape (cont’d) Key conclusions from this review ISSUEKEY MESSAGE ScalesRelevant at multiple scales (very local to global) Themes and focusWould benefit from using the same general themes, language and conceptual framework Ecosystem services and biodiversityBiodiversity is defined in many ways, often confined to simply its dimensions relating to species Periodicity and time frameMost useful assessments generate a variety of highly relevant products, with a major product once every years The authorizing environment and legitimacy This is variable across the assessments Scientific credibilityThis is variable across the assessments Policy impact and relevanceHas had variable impacts on decision-making processes

Assessment landscape (cont’d) Key conclusions from this review (cont’d) ISSUEKEY MESSAGE Stakeholder involvementHighly variable Conceptual frameworkEach assessment uses or develops its own conceptual framework, methodologies, indicators and databases Data usedMost assessment draw from peer review literature, data provided by Governments or authoritative research institutions, expert opinion and other assessments Communication to key audiencesFew assessments have built in sufficient outreach capacity, efforts should be made to ensure that the communication is based on strong science credibility Capacity-buildingEfforts to build capacity to contribute to the preparation of assessment is often accorded high priority Institutions for assessmentsMost effective assessment have tended to be those with an institutional home

Biodiversity indicators Indicators are tools for measuring and communicating progress What do indicators provide and how are they used?

Biodiversity indicators (cont’d) The key messages from this review ISSUEKEY MESSAGE Established needBiodiversity and ecosystem service indicators are needed on various scales for various uses Existing experienceSubstantial experience has already been accumulated in developing and using biodiversity and ecosystem service indicators Good scienceThe process of developing indicators should follow the best available scientific practices Indicator theory and conceptual frameworks Indicators are often defined and developed collectively within frameworks Building capacityNational capacity for framework application, indicator development, data collection and information management needs to be developed Communicating indicatorsRecognition needs to be given to the importance of developing communication strategies for indicators Collaboration and facilitation It would be beneficial if the research and policy communities were to work together in a more coordinated way Global partnershipEfforts should be made to consider the involvement of all potential developers and users of indicators

Capacity building How can IPBES best complement existing capacity development initiatives while responding to prevailing needs and demands?

Capacity building (cont’d) The effectiveness of an IPBES depends, among others, on the capacity developed in all aspects of the science-policy interface for biodiversity and ecosystem services: Science; Assessment; Policy and Observation

Capacity building (cont’d) 3 main capacity development objectives Support data collection, analysis and data sharing to address pertinent gaps and harmonise the currently fragmented system through fostering initiatives of GEOSS and GEO BON Enhance communication and outreach for bridging the science- policy gap Strengthen institutions, to provide incentives for change and to establish and sustain capacity at the appropriate level

Summary of principles governing the IPCC Cross-reference between IPBES and IPCC Upon request by the 2 nd IPBES meeting, the UNEP Secretariat prepared a short summary of principles governing the IPCC The document is for information purposes only and should not be considered an authoritative description of the IPCC as such

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