Description of Impact(s) (English Only) On 26 August 2019, President Abdel Fatah al-Sisi of Egypt announced that his country would sign the Metz Charter on Biodiversity. He made the announcement during the 2019 G7 Leaders' Summit in Biarritz, saying that he believes “in the need to preserve biodiversity, which is an essential element for achieving a sustainable development.” The Metz Charter officially welcomes the IPBES Global Assessment and commits to addressing the main pressures on biodiversity “as informed by the best available science and knowledge, including the thematic, regional and global assessments by the IPBES.” Its three central commitments are to accelerate and intensify efforts to halt biodiversity loss, encourage the engagement of other actors and stakeholders and support the development and implementation of post-2020 global biodiversity framework.

Description of Impact(s) (English Only) During the 2019 G7 Leaders' Summit in Biarritz, President Emmanuel Macron of France announced that all G7 member States will sign the Metz Charter on Biodiversity, as well as Australia, Chile, India and South Africa. Macron said that this G7 Biodiversity Charter is the “result of IPBES and shows the international community is committed to biodiversity.” The Metz Charter officially welcomes the IPBES Global Assessment and commits to addressing the main pressures on biodiversity “as informed by the best available science and knowledge, including the thematic, regional and global assessments by the IPBES.” Its three central commitments are to accelerate and intensify efforts to halt biodiversity loss, encourage the engagement of other actors and stakeholders and support the development and implementation of post-2020 global biodiversity framework.

Description of Impact(s) (English Only) The Convention on Migratory Species released two fact sheets on the importance of 'Connectivity' as a concept within the upcoming post-2020 biodiversity framework to be agreed under the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity. The evaluation of the Aichi Targets within the IPBES #GlobalAssessment informed the development of 'Connectivity' as a crucial component for improved biodiversity targets.

Intro: bit.ly/CMSConnectivityFactSheet

Goals and Targets: bit.ly/CMSConnectivityFactSheet2

Description of Impact(s) (English Only) Biodiversity researchers Malte Timpte, Günter Mitlacher and Axel Paulsch have published an analysis linking the policy options of the IPBES Global Assessment to potential actions and pathways within the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) post-2020 Biodiversity Framework and the next set of decadal targets by making use of the current Aichi Biodiversity Targets and the CBD Open-Ended Working Group non-paper zero draft.

Description of Impact(s) (English Only) In an article announcing that Microsoft will fund the Shazam4Nature project, created at the EarthLab by Microsoft Berlin and Fraunhofer CeRRI, Microsoft cites key findings from the IPBES Global Assessment. According to Microsoft, the IPBES findings show that “we need to act urgently”. Shazam4Nature is an “acoustic biodiversity monitoring system that captures and records animal sounds through sensitive microphones, and evaluates the acoustic signals using artificial intelligence (AI) in the Azure cloud”. The project is a part of Microsoft’s AI for Earth program.

Description of Impact(s) (English Only) A study from the University of British Columbia (UBC) expanded on the findings of the IPBES Global Assessment Report, examining how Indigenous-managed lands “play a critical role in helping species survive” using land and species data from 3 countries.

Description of Impact(s) (English Only) In response to the dangerous decline of nature, the National Council of Austria declared a Climate Emergency to send a strong political signal to develop better climate and environmental policy for the benefit of the country. As part of this resolution, the National Council also called on the Austrian government to consider IPBES reports as the factual basis for future climate and environmental policies.

Description of Impact(s) (English Only) Ahead of the 9th Trondheim Conference on Biodiversity, an alliance of 4 large German organizations (conservationists, research institutes and museums) issued an open call via letter in the press to the German Chancellor to make the fight against species extinction a top priority - making it clear that climate change and biodiversity must be address together. They did so citing the IPBES Global Assessment - calling for a binding national catalogue of measures with sufficient funding and for Germany to lead at CBD COP15 in 2020 to set global objectives to address these. The organizations were: Frankfurt Zoological Society; Museum of Natural History Berlin; Senckenberg Nature Research Society and the Wyss Campaign for Nature, Germany.

Description of Impact(s) (English Only) A partnership between the Vietnamese-focused financial instiution Dragon Capital and the University of Exeter is launching a programme to chart the link between biodiversity and economic performance. Partly inspired by IPBES, the programme will support an academic post at the University of Exeter.

Description of Impact(s) (English Only) The Irish Minister for Culture Heritage and the Gaeltacht, Josepha Madigan announced that she will not proceed with regulations that would have allowed general roadside hedge cutting during August. Citing the findings of the Global Assessment, the Minister recognized the importance of preserving biodiversity.

Description of Impact(s) (English Only) A paper on "Understanding the diversity of values of “Nature’s contributions to people”: insights from the IPBES Assessment of Europe and Central Asia," published in the journal Sustainability Science, has critically appraised the merits of the IPBES NCP conceptual framework by reviewing of the findings the IPBES Europe and Central Asia (ECA) assessment. The objectives of the authors are: "(1) To review and assess the instrumental and relational values of NCP in Europe and Central Asia? (2) To consider what additional insights into the value of NCP are gained through the inclusion of socio-cultural valuations and ILK?"

The analysis demonstrates that the ECA assessment captures a wide range of instrumental and relational values of NCP; however, the authors acknowledge variation in the availability of this value evidence. The authors also highlight new insights that can be uncovered through the adoptions of socio-cultural valuation methods and analysis of ILK knowledge. We conclude that the NCP paradigm, with its focus on instrumental and relational values, treats values more holistically than previous assessments such as TEEB (2010). For example, by giving a ‘voice’ to ILK holders, new types of NCP were demonstrated such as carrion removal, along with evidence of relational values including sense of place, identity, symbolic values and sacredness. The authors conclude that: "While the ECA assessments may be defined as an example of a ‘Multiple evidence base’ approach to valuation of ecosystem assessments, the ECA assessment fails to demonstrate how to incorporate this wider range of values in decision-making processes."

Description of Impact(s) (English Only) In the report of the Co-Chairs of the 2019 Trondheim Biodiversity Conferences, the science of the IPBES Global Assessment and Land Degradation and Restoration Assessment Reports is front and center in a brief focusing on 'making biodiversity matter' and shaping the post-2020 biodiversity framework. In particular, the Global Assessment science was highlighted as a crucial component for the crafting of the next decadal biodiversity targets to build upon the lessons learned from the Aichi Targets. As the Co-Chairs highlight for the participants from diverse fields of science, policy and the private sector, "the cost of inaction makes biodiversity loss an issue of importance to all sectors."

Description of Impact(s) (English Only) Billy Offland, a 21-year-old university student from Manchester UK, has set off on a two-year solo research trip around the world, inspired primarily by the IPBES Global Assessment. Billy’s research trip will allow him to meet with conservation organizations and individuals to understand their localized perspectives on biodiversity loss and environmental degradation.

Description of Impact(s) (English Only) The Baroness Kate Parminter (Deputy Leader of the Liberal Democrats in the House of Lords of the United Kingdom) wrote an opinion piece in PoliticsHome calling for the urgent introduction of a strong Environment Bill. She cites the IPBES Global Assessment as evidence of the threat of biodiversity loss, saying that it “[brings] home” the need for environmental action.She also advocates for governmental recognition of strengthened public authority biodiversity duty.

Description of Impact(s) (English Only) The Swiss Youtube filmmaker Marius Raconte drew inspiration from the IPBES Global Assessment for his French-language video “Pourquoi ces 3 animaux ont disparu?” The video takes the viewer through a tour of three extinct species that are currently on exhibit in the Cantonal Museum of Zoology in Lausanne, Switzerland. Apart from its impressive visuals, the video aims to inform viewers of the 1 million species at risk of extinction - also highlighting key findings from the Global Assessment.

Description of Impact(s) (English Only) On 16 July 2019, during the ministerial segment of the UN High-level Political Forum on Sustainable Development (HLPF), Mary Robinson, Chair of the Elders, referred to IPBES in her keynote speech. She said that the findings of the IPBES Global Assessment, alongside findings from the IPCC, made clear that the 2030 Agenda and the Paris Agreement on climate change can no longer be considered voluntary. She stressed the need for change to avoid a future in which only a privileged few live in comfort.

Description of Impact(s) (English Only) Inga Turczyn, a documentary filmmaker has announced a new production titled “The Species Rescuers,” which will report on the findings of the IPBES Global Assessment. This ninety-minute documentary will focus on the people fighting for the conservation of species as well as measures and strategies that can stop species extinction. Shooting for the film will likely conclude in February 2020.

Description of Impact(s) (English Only) Henry McGhie references the findings of the IPBES Global Assessment at length in the booklet guide for the consultancy project Curating Tomorrow. Largely funded by the British Ecological Society, the brochure will help biodiversity experts use UK museum collections to address questions around biodiversity conservation in a strategic way by taking museum-based skills of curating and applying them to the wider world. The booklet highlights the IPBES Global Assessment as evidence of the urgency of biodiversity loss and environmental change.

Description of Impact(s) (English Only) The Lannion-Trégor community in North-Western France has decided to appeal a decision rendered by the Administrative Court of Rennes based on the findings of the IPBES Global Assessment. The Court initially rejected the community’s request to prevent the extraction of shellfish sand in Lannion Bay. In the reasoning behind their appeal, the community voices strong concerns that the project will negatively impact local ecosystems and species and claim that the Court remains “deaf to the alarming conclusions of the IPBES on the collapse of biodiversity including marine biodiversity due to certain human activities.”

Description of Impact(s) (English Only) Leading scientists from academia and conservation representing the International Boreal Conservation Science Panel have written a letter to the Canadian Deputy Minister for Environment and Climate Change raising awareness of the issue of biodiversity loss as evidenced by the IPBES Global Assessment and recommend Canadian leadership in reaching the Convention on Biodiversity protected areas target of 17%, with a particular focus on Indigenous Protected and Conserved Areas.

The experts appealed to the positive actions already taken as the Aichi Target deadline nears: "Your government’s positive vision for achieving ambitious biodiversity, ecological, and climate change goals has been an important beacon to the world to show that nations can achieve great things even in today’s troubled times."

Description of Impact(s) (English Only) On 23 July 2019, Sir Robert Watson, the former Chair of IPBES, participated in 1.5 hour Senate briefing in the United States Capital building. The object of the briefing was to gain support for the Wildlands Corridor Conservation Bill, co-sponsored by Senator Udall (New Mexico) and Congressmen Beyer (Virginia) and Buchanan (Florida). The briefing was attended by over 150 people, ranging from Hill staffers to Members of Congress. Sir Robert started the briefing with a summary of the key findings from the Global Assessment in support of the Bill.

Description of Impact(s) (English Only) Following the third BES-Net Anglophone Africa Regional Trialogue, in which participants reviewed the key findings of the IPBES Pollination and Land Degradation Assessments, Nigeria joined an international initiative to protect pollinators. On 25 July 2019, Nigerian federal officials became the 28th nation to sign the Declaration of the Coalition of the Willing on Pollinators, an alliance aimed at promoting pollinator protection in countries.

Description of Impact(s) (English Only) Following the third BES-Net Anglophone Africa Regional Trialogue, in which participants reviewed the key findings of the IPBES Pollination and Land Degradation Assessments, Nigeria endorsed the Pollinator Friendly Land Degradation Neutrality Country Action Plan for subsequent adoption. This endorsement affirms the nation’s intent to act and implement a national strategy to protect pollinating species threatened with extinction.

Description of Impact(s) (English Only) After reading the findings of the IPBES Global Assessment, Ollie Langridge—a self-professed “normal guy” and father of five—decided to demand environmental action from the government of New Zealand by running his international company from the Parliament’s front lawn. Expressing concern for his children’s future as his primary motivation, Langridge wants New Zealand to declare a climate emergency, then develop legislation and policy around it. As of 1 August 2019, Langridge has been protesting for 77 consecutive days and has set the record for longest running protest outside the Kiwi Parliament.

Description of Impact(s) (English Only) Henry McGhie, with support from the British Ecological Society, has published a guide on 'Museum Collections and Biodiversity Conservation' so that individuals such as museum workers can play a more effective role in supporting biodiversity and nature conservation-related research, management and policy as a key part of addressing the 'unprecedented environmental change' identified by the IPBES Global Assessment.

Description of Impact(s) (English Only) Secretary-General of the United Nations António Guterres,State Councilor and Foreign Minister of China Wang Yi, and Foreign Minister of France Jean-Yves Le Drian met on the margins of the G20 Summit in Osaka to stress the urgency of addressing climate change and biodiversity loss, noting both the IPCC 1.5°C Special Report and IPBES Global Assessment.

They emphasized a need to increase finance for nature-based solutions, the creation of jobs to transition to a low-carbon and climate-resilient economy, and to develop the links between climate change and biodiversity to prompt a global response to biodiversity loss, particularly with the Convention on Biological Diversity's COP15 in 2020.

Description of Impact(s) (English Only) While climate change has long been recognized as a global, generational threat in international fora such as the G20, for the first time IPBES and the issue of biodiversity loss have appeared on the G20 agenda. Items 34 and 40, excerpted below, note the work of the IPCC and IPBES and the best available evidence as integral for sustainable growth and the sustainable use of biodiversity.


"34. Noting the important work of the International Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) and Intergovernmental Science-policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Sources (IPBES), and in the light of recent extreme weather events and disasters, we recognize the urgent need for addressing complex and pressing global issues and challenges, including climate change, resource efficiency, air, land, fresh water and marine pollution, including marine plastic litter, biodiversity loss, sustainable consumption and production, urban environmental quality and other environmental issues, and for promoting and leading energy transitions, with the best available science, while promoting sustainable growth. A paradigm shift is needed where the virtuous cycle of environment and growth is accelerated through innovations, and with business communities playing an important role, in synergy with the public sector. To this end we stress the importance of accelerating the virtuous cycle and leading transformations to a resilient, inclusive, and sustainable future. We emphasize the importance of taking concrete and practical actions and collecting international best practices and wisdom from around the world, mobilizing public and private finance, technology and investment and improving business environments.

...

40. As illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing remains in many parts of the world a serious threat to the sustainability of the ocean, we recognize the importance of addressing IUU fishing for ensuring the sustainable use of marine resources and conserving the marine environment including biodiversity, and reaffirm our commitment to end IUU fishing."

Description of Impact(s) (English Only) Following the European Elections in 2019, European Union staffers called upon the newly-elected representatives to declare a planetary emergency in light of the IPCC Special Report on Global Warming of 1.5°C and the IPBES Global Assessment, to lead by example in cutting emissions, and leveraging the international standing of the European Union to lead on climate and biodiversity.

Description of Impact(s) (English Only) The Greens/European Free Alliance of the European Parliament draws on the findings of the Global Assessment in a statement on the EU Common Agricultural Policy. They oppose subsidies in the agricultural farming industry and support sustainable initiatives.

Description of Impact(s) (English Only) The Government of Cambodia’s National Council for Sustainable Development is collaborating with the Royal University of Phnom Penh to launch an IPBES-inspired project that aims to assess the potential and function of Cambodian ecosystems as well as their benefits to the economy, society, and well-being. The findings of the study will be used at the National Consultative Forum as a basis to develop strategies, policies, and action plans to promote sustainability.