Reminder: External review of the IPBES business and biodiversity assessment is closing soon - 17 September 2024

Dear IPBES members, observers and other interested stakeholders,

With reference to notification EM/2024/34 (24 July 2024), I would like to remind you that the external review of the methodological assessment of the impact and dependence of business on biodiversity and nature’s contributions to people (business and biodiversity assessment) is closing on 17 September 2024.

This assessment is being carried out following the fast-track approach, involving a single external review. Consequently, the first draft of the chapters and the first draft of the summary for policymakers are made available for this external review. An additional Government review of the summary for policymakers is planned for April/May 2025.

This external review is addressed to Governments and interested and qualified experts, including scientists, decision makers, practitioners and other knowledge holders. To ensure the highest scientific quality and policy relevance of the assessment, the Multidisciplinary Expert Panel is seeking the widest-possible participation of experts from all relevant disciplines and backgrounds.

If you would like to participate as an expert reviewer in this external review, please follow these steps:

1. Register as a user of the IPBES website (https://ipbes.net/user/register) if you have not already done so;
2. Register to review the draft documents at https://www.ipbes.net/business-impact/fod/registration;
3. Once registered, you will receive an email providing confidential access to the draft summary for policymakers, draft chapters 1-6 and glossary;
4. Comments must be submitted in English using the Excel comment template available on the same webpage as the draft documents;
5. Comments must be submitted electronically via the IPBES website; when you are ready to submit your comments, please upload your completed Excel template no later than 17 September 2024 using the “Add Review” button on the same page as the draft documents (you must be logged in to upload your template);
6. If you encounter any technical issues uploading your comments template, please contact [email protected].

The Plenary will be invited to consider the summary for policymakers of the business and biodiversity assessment for approval and its chapters for acceptance at IPBES 12, currently planned for the end of 2025.

I thank you for your continued support to IPBES.

Yours sincerely,

Dr Anne Larigauderie | Executive Secretary
Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES)