Stakeholder participation in IPBES: connecting local environmental work with global decision making

Area of Science:

• Biodiversity science-policy interface
• Ecosystem services assessment
• Environmental policy integration

Background:

• The Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES) aims to bridge science and policy.
• Stakeholders offer diverse knowledge and perspectives crucial for IPBES assessments.
• Effective stakeholder engagement is vital for translating scientific findings into actionable policy.

Purpose of the Study:

• To reflect on the role and impact of stakeholders in IPBES' first work program (2014-2018).
• To examine motivations and contributions of diverse stakeholders engaging with IPBES.
• To identify areas for improving future stakeholder engagement in IPBES.

Main Methods:

• Review of IPBES processes and products relevant to stakeholder participation.
• Analysis of stakeholder motivations for engagement.
• Author reflections based on active participation in the IPBES platform.

Main Results:

• Stakeholders, including Indigenous Peoples, local communities, businesses, and NGOs, represent diverse knowledge sources.
• Engagement facilitated communication, dissemination, and implementation of IPBES findings.
• Stakeholder input contributed to developing conservation guidelines and linking global policy with local actions.

Conclusions:

• Active stakeholder involvement is integral to IPBES' success in informing policy and implementing global biodiversity goals.
• Lessons learned from the first work program offer insights for enhancing future stakeholder contributions.
• Strengthening the science-policy interface requires continuous improvement in stakeholder engagement strategies.