The IPBES Business and Biodiversity Assessment

The Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES) is in the midst of producing their thematic assessment on the impact and dependence of business on biodiversity and nature's contributions to people ("Business and Biodiversity Assessment") which is open to review by external stakeholders between 24 July - 17 Sept 2024.

In this session, JNCC will provide information on the importance of IPBES and how external stakeholders can get involved in the IPBES process. This will include an overview of the content of the 6 chapters of the Business and Biodiversity Assessment and how to contribute to its review.

About IPBES & JNCC

The Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES) is an intergovernmental body which provides robust evidence to inform global and national decision-making on biodiversity and ecosystem services. IPBES produces annual reports on specific topics which feed into decision making policy fora, including meetings of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and the Conference of the Parties (COP) for the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD).

The Joint Nature Conservation Committee (JNCC) is a public body which advises on the UK’s implementation of international conventions that relate to biodiversity, including IPBES. JNCC is responsible for the UK IPBES Stakeholder Network which circulates a summary of the notifications and news from the IPBES Secretary. This includes dates when IPBES assessments are out for external review, opportunities to contribute as an author to assessments, and opportunities to become an IPBES fellow.

About Dr Sarah Scott

Sarah is a Senior International Biodiversity Adviser at the JNCC where she supports UK government decision-making and negotiations related to international biodiversity agreements and processes, such as the Bern Convention on the Conservation of European Wildlife and Natural Habitats and the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES). Her work also involves supporting the development of policies, reports and tools related to international species conservation, climate change and sustainable development. Sarah holds a PhD in Behavioural Ecology and Conservation and an MSc in Biodiversity Conversation.

About Hayley-Bo Dorrian-Bak

Hayley-Bo Dorrian-Bak is an International Biodiversity Advisor at the JNCC where she supports UK government decision-making and negotiations related to international biodiversity agreements and processes, such as the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) and the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES), One Health, and the International Seabed Authority (ISA). Before joining JNCC, she contributed to research at the Strathclyde Centre for Environmental Law and Governance (SCLEG) and the Ocean Nexus Centre on various projects including the Climate Change Litigation Initiative (C2LI, now the "Climate Change Legal Initiative") and legal research on Earth law, Ocean Rights, and Rights of Nature. She completed a BA in Political Science and Geography and holds a Masters of Law in Global Environmental Law and Governance.