The IPBES Global Assessment of Biodiversity and Ecosystems Services: Calling upon the contribution of Ethnobiology

The Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform for Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES) has started to prepare its Global Assessment of Biodiversity and Ecosystems Services. The >150 authors of the global assessment will consider three groups of questions related to ethnobiology, Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities (IPLCs) and Indigenous and Local Knowledge, Practices and Innovations (ILKPIs).

First, what have been the contributions of ILKPs/IPLCs to the sustainable use, management and conservation of nature and Nature’s Benefits to People (NBP) at regional and global scales? This question is based on the accumulated evidence that ILKPIs are locally based, but regionally manifested, and globally relevant. Second, what are the most important features, pressures and factors related to and/or enabling these contributions, as well as impacting present and future NBP and quality of life of IPLCs? This question is based on accumulated evidence that IPLCs are at the centre of social, economic, political and environmental / ecological pressures, are largely marginalized, and experiencing high rates of social and environmental changes. And, third, what policy responses, measures, and processes can contribute to strengthen and improve the institutions and governance of nature and nature’s benefits to people with regard to ILKPI/IPLCs? This question will consider evidence from previous and ongoing policy efforts and instruments supporting ILKPI/IPLCs, and help to identify gaps and opportunities going forward.

The goal of the session is to present the strategy for integrating ILKPIs in the global assessment, to present the state of ILKPI-related activities in the global assessment, to encourage ethnobiologists to review the diverse drafts of the assessment, and potentially to serve as Contributing Authors where expertise is needed. The session will not be an official IPBES event but an initiative towards the fulfilment of our task to incorporate ILKPI as an integral part of the global assessment.