Description of Impact(s) (English Only) The Oji River Local Government has passed a new law, the “Primate Rights Bill,” which extends protection to primates found in the communities of Akpugoeze and Inyi, Nigeria. Government officials issued a statement heavily leaning on the IPBES Global Assessment as a key motivation for local action to address the global biodiversity crisis.

The statement said, “In a report released in May 2019, the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES, which is an independent intergovernmental body comprising more than 130 governments; www.ipbes.net) announced that nature is declining globally at rates unmatched in human history. In addition, the rate of species extinctions is accelerating, with grave impacts on people around the planet now likely.

The IPBES Global Assessment Report on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services is the most comprehensive ever completed. Compiled by 145 expert authors from 50 countries over the past 3 years, with inputs from another 310 contributing authors, the report assesses changes over the past 5 decades. Findings in the report show that about 1 million animal and plant species are now threatened with extinction, many within decades, more than ever before in human history.”

Description of Impact(s) (English Only) Carlos Manuel Rodríguez, the Minister of Environment and Energy of Costa Rica and and Alvaro Cedeno Molinari, the Former Costa Rican Ambassador to Japan and the WTO, have jointly penned an article outlining 10 key priorities for a robust post-2020 biodiversity framework under the Convention on Biological Diversity and citing the IPBES Global Assessment key findings .

The authors state, "Given that such losses to biodiversity will jeopardize the future of humankind itself, the time for effective public and private leadership is now – or never."

Description of Impact(s) (English Only) Making extensive use of the IPBES Global Assessment findings, the Nature Conservancy (TNC) argues for urgent action for and investment in nature protection - especially in 2021 during the UN CBD COP15 in Kunming, China.

Description of Impact(s) (English Only) A study in “Nature Sustainability” examines knowledge gaps in the IPBES Regional Assessments. The authors explain that “to guide research that better informs policy and practice, we systematically synthesize knowledge gaps from recent assessments of four regions of the globe and three key themes by the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform for Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services. We assess their relevance to global sustainability goals and trace their evolution relative to those identified in the Millennium Ecosystem Assessment.”

Description of Impact(s) (English Only) Drawing on the finding of the IPBES Global Assessment that one million species are at risk of extinction, American Humane has published a "new series of free books from American Humane and Chicken Soup for the Soul that aims to instill the love of animals into young people, encourage them to protect disappearing species, and support humane conservation."

Description of Impact(s) (English Only) An article in Börse Online draws extensively on the findings of the IPBES Global Assessment to explain why biodiversity brings investors returns. The author, Sonia Fasolo, explains that “taking into account "Socially Responsible Investment", i.e. environmental and social aspects, pays off for investors as well as for companies.”

Description of Impact(s) (English Only) In response to the IPBES Global Assessment and the findings it highlighted about the state of biodiversity around the world, French President Emmanuel Macron announced a number of measures to protect biodiversity in French territories. Macron announced plans to protect 30% of marine and terrestrial land in France and French territories to protect species. Macron also committed to building a scientific base in l’île Glorieuse and developing sustainable economic activities in its territories.

Description of Impact(s) (English Only) The IPBES Global Assessment and key findings from the Report were cited within the text of United States Senate Resolution 372 in the 116th Congress, a bill which suggests that "the Federal Government should establish a national goal of conserving at least 30 percent of the land and 30 percent of the ocean within the territory of the United States by 2030."

Namely, the findings that 1 million species face extinction, the direct drivers of biodiversity loss and five specific facts were incorporated in the bill to justify this proposal: ((A) human activities are damaging 2⁄3 of ocean areas; (B) only 3 percent of ocean areas remain pristine; (C) 15 percent of mangroves remain; (D) 50 percent of coral reefs remain; and (E) at the current rate of losses, less than 10 percent of the Earth will be free of substantial human impact by 2050);.

Description of Impact(s) (English Only) Multiple organizations representing “farmers, bee-keepers, cooks, civil society organisations, activists, consumers, young and old from urban and rural areas across Europe” have penned an open letter to Members of the European Parliament. The signatories call for action to protect biodiversity and slow climate change, to create a better future for farming. The letter cites the IPBES Global Assessment as proof that decision-makers must “act urgently and decisively”.

Description of Impact(s) (English Only) The company Guerlain has partnered with UNESCO to train new beekeepers, create beekeeping affiliates across the world and measure the benefits of the pollination in the biosphere reserves. The five-year program will become a part of the UNESCO-MAB and LVMH partnership. As part of the program, Guerlain seeks to measure “the benefits of the pollination in the local ecosystems to implement the recommendations of the IPBES’ report.”

Description of Impact(s) (English Only) Within the framework of the III Congress of Protected Areas in Latin America and the Caribbean in Lima, Peru, the Meeting of Women in Conservation “Collectively Building the Women’s Agenda in Conservation of Latin America and the Caribbean” brought together 60 women from 14 countries from environmental, academic, scientific, political, social, community, indigenous and LGBT+ diversity sectors. In the document “Joint Declaration of Women in Conservation,” which was formed through this meeting, the attendees proclaim to “collaborate in good faith to achieve gender equality” and formally take into account the findings of the IPBES Global Assessment, including its finding that inequalities related to income and gender weaken the ability to achieve sustainability.

Description of Impact(s) (English Only) In Almaty, a trialogue was organized by the Kazakh Ministry of Ecology, Geology and Natural Resources on the initiative of the UNDP in cooperation with IPBES, the Pollinator Volunteer Coalition, in partnership with the German Federal Ministry of the Environment and Nature Conservation. At the trialogue, more than 70 scientists, politicians and experts from Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan developed a common programme to solve problems related to biodiversity conservation, land degradation and climate change.

Description of Impact(s) (English Only) Yves Cochet, the former French Minister of Spatial Planning and the Environment, discussed various IPBES Reports in a podcast interview about the interlinkages of climate change and biodiversity loss.

Description of Impact(s) (English Only) A study titled “Vulnerability to climate change of islands worldwide and its impact on the tree of life,” published in the journal “Nature” incorporates the concepts of Nature's Contributions and aims to provide useful insight for IPBES-related works on the topic of phylogenetic diversity. The study highlights that in the Global Assessment, “PD is now recognised as a key indicator of one of “Nature’s Contributions to People” and notes that this study “contributes to issues of global relevance as defined in the policies of the IPCC and the IPBES.”

Description of Impact(s) (English Only) The Museum of Toulouse has displayed an exhibit focused on species extinction, which was originally developed by the London Natural History Museum. The exhibit highlights the incredible diversity of life on Earth as well as the threat of extinction. In its press release about the exhibit, the Museum notes the finding of the IPBES Global Assessment that one million species are at risk of extinction.

Description of Impact(s) (English Only) An article in Trade for Development News draws substantially from the findings of the IPBES Global Assessment to explore the future of ecotourism in Africa. The article was co-written by officials from the World Trade Organization, the Conservation Areas and Species programme, the International Union for Conservation of Nature ESARO and the Executive Secretariat for the Enhanced Integrated Framework at the WTO.

Description of Impact(s) (English Only) A French magazine called “Littoral - le magazine des gens de mer” drew inspiration from the IPBES Global Assessment and its finding that one million species are at risk of extinction and decided to compile a list of concrete actions being taken to protect marine biodiversity. For each example, the magazine has filmed an interview with people undertaking the project.

Description of Impact(s) (English Only) The Dutch Minister of Agriculture, Nature and Food Quality, writing also on behalf of the Minister of Foreign Trade and Development Cooperation, published an official response to the IPBES Global Assessment. The Minister stresses the importance of the Report and sums up current efforts being made by the government to address the biodiversity crisis.

Description of Impact(s) (English Only) Inspired by the finding of the IPBES Global Assessment that one million species are at risk of extinction due to human activity, a Nordic paint company called Tikkurila has launched a special collection called “Endangered Colors.” The Endangered Colors collection “consists of nine different colors, each representing an endangered animal species….Tikkurila donates one euro per sold product to the protection of endangered animals.”

Description of Impact(s) (English Only) In the United States, more than a dozen groups have formed a coalition to pressure companies that conduct or fund extraction to stay out of previously protected areas. In explaining the reasoning for forming this coalition, Alex Taurel, the Conservation Program Director of the League of Conservation Voters, cited the finding from the IPBES Global Assessment that one million species are at risk of extinction due to human activity.

Description of Impact(s) (English Only) Public interest law firm Earthjustice, already litigating to protect endangered species for decades, has drawn inspiration from the IPBES Global Assessment. As they say, "we know it’s not enough to address the extinction crisis bird by bird. The [IPBES Global Assessment] Report recommends a transformative societal shift toward an economic model where we value nature by restoring, conserving, and using it sustainably. That’s why Earthjustice is also tackling the extinction crisis at a broader level."

Description of Impact(s) (English Only) The Amazon Cooperation Treaty Organization (ACTO) is an intergovernmental organization formed by Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Guyana, Peru, Suriname and Venezuela. As part of their forthcoming regional biodiversity programme, the ACTO (OTCA in Spanish) is considering IPBES evidence in the planning stages of a new biodiversity initiative for the Amazon region and has invited IPBES Chair Ana María Hernández to contribute to a high-level consultation.

Description of Impact(s) (English Only) The City Council of Pollença has adopted a motion by the 'Alliance for Climate Emergency' (Amics de la Terra Mallorca, Attac, Confederació General del Treball (CGT Illes Balears), Entrepobles, Extinction Rebellion, Greenpeace, GOB-Grup Balear d’Ornitologia i Defensa de la Naturalesa, Joventut pel Clima – Fridays for Future Mallorca, Moviment Ecolocal Mallorquí – MEM, Plataforma Antiautopista, Som Sindicalistes i Terraferida) on 30 October, 2019 to declare a climate emergency. The declaration strongly draws upon the Global Assessment and its findings regarding the state of nature for reason to declare emergency.

Description of Impact(s) (English Only) The Minnesota Sustainable Growth Coalition (MN SGC) is a group of Minnesota-based companies who have joined together with their purpose to define and develop projects building toward a sustainable circular economy. The MN SCG focuses on the flow of energy, water, and materials that member businesses and organizations manage and has developed a vision and sector-specific projects. The Materials Vision document was adopted by the MN SGC in October 2019 and focuses on the need to transform waste into assets. To motivate this, the Materials Vision document cites the decline in Nature’s Contributions to People documented in the IPBES Global Assessment SPM.

“While more food, energy and materials than ever before are now being supplied to people in most places, this is increasingly at the expense of nature’s ability to provide such contributions in the future,” notes the Materials Vision document, quoting the IPBES Global Assessment.

As the Materials Vision document states, "Materials are undervalued and are part of a linear take-make-waste model, resulting in inefficient use and unsustainable consumption, which threatens natural resources, human health, well-being, business continuity and growth."

Description of Impact(s) (English Only) The municipal government of Nigrán in Spain moved to present a proposal in its plenary session to recognize a state of climate emergency and take corresponding measures within the mandate of the City Council. The City Council highlighted the findings of the IPBES Global Assessment, including that one million species are at risk of extinction due to human activity.

Description of Impact(s) (English Only) To raise awareness about and protest climate change and biodiversity loss, an Extinction Rebellion group in Cambridge held a funeral march through Cambridge city centre, explaining that they are “grieving for all life on earth, from those that have died to those lives that will be lost in the future as the climate and ecological crisis accelerates.” As part of the event description, the group included the IPBES Global Assessment finding that one million species are at risk of extinction due to human activity.

Description of Impact(s) (English Only) In Badajoz, Spain, the CCOO and UGT unions called on citizens of Extremadura to join in various mobilizations that seek to raise awareness and mobilize action in response to human-induced climate change and biodiversity loss. The groups highlight the IPBES Global Assessment finding that one million species are at risk of extinction due to human activity.

Description of Impact(s) (English Only) The City Council of Colmenar Viejo in Spain declared a Climate Emergency during its September plenary session. In its declaration, the Council highlights the findings of the IPBES Global Assessment, including that one million species are at risk of extinction due to human activity. The declaration establishes "a priority the progressive decarbonisation of municipal activity, planning actions and investing in technology to achieve zero emissions and supply 100% renewable energy.”

Description of Impact(s) (English Only) Two environmental researchers, Fronika Claziena Agatha de Wit and Paula Martins de Freitas, drew on the Conceptual Framework of IPBES while making recommendations on how the Brazilian Academy can better incorporate and value the knowledge of Indigenous Peoples and local communities in the Amazon to contribute to the active role of these peoples in governance. The researchers suggested that the Brazilian Academy could draw on the example of IPBES “to bring together governments, non-governmental organizations, universities scientific organizations and traditional communities to assess critically the relevant information about the biodiversity and the ecosystemic services [and as] a consequence…[value] all knowledge systems.”

Description of Impact(s) (English Only) Researchers from the Universitat de Leida in Spain have created a network of plots, ranging from Moncayo to Northern Sweden, where they automatically measure the growth of mixed forests. They are studying possible changes in the distribution of forest species. In an article outlining their work, the researchers highlight the finding from the IPBES Global Assessment that one million species are at risk of extinction due to human activity, which shows the importance of protecting biodiversity.