The Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES) was established in 2012. Like the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, it is an intergovernmental body for scientific policy advice. The Plenary Assembly of the member states of IPBES decides on the work programme. Since its foundation, Germany has been a member of IPBES.

The core task of IPBES is to produce reports on the current state and development of biodiversity and its ecosystem services. IPBES does not conduct its own research, but collects and evaluates knowledge available worldwide. The assessments are the basis for recommendations and options for action to protect biological diversity and to support policy-makers in their work.

The four areas of responsibility of IPBES include:

•    The identification of scientific evidence needed by policy makers
•    Regular reports on the current state of knowledge on biodiversity and ecosystem services and their
      interactions
•    The identification of policy relevant instruments and methods to support the formulation and
      implementation of policy measures
•    Prioritising capacity building needs to further develop the political-scientific interface and to provide
      and raise funding and other support.


The IPBES secretariat is located in Bonn.