As the world grapples with the intertwined crises of biodiversity loss, climate change, environmental degradation, water scarcity, food insecurity, and public health challenges, two upcoming assessments by the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES) hold the promise of transformative ecosystem based solutions that are evidence-based and agreed on through multilateral science-policy processes. The transformative change assessment and the nexus assessment, which will be considered by the plenary at IPBES 11 in December 2024, are poised to redefine the way we approach global sustainability challenges by centering on more integrated, adaptive and equitable options for decision-making linked to biodiversity, food, water, health and climate change.

“Since 2012, IPBES has been one of the most ambitious global attempts to bridge the divide between policy, scientific knowledge as well as  indigenous and local knowledge. IPBES has demonstrated its forward looking nature as evidenced by two new products, the Transformative Change and the Nexus assessments  both of which  bring stark warnings on the need  for renewed impetus and concerted action  to protect our future generations from the follies of our past.” - Prof Chris Gordon, Member of Multidisciplinary Expert Panel of IPBES and CDKN Strategic Country Advisor for Ghana

The promise of nexus thinking

Co-developed by 165 experts across the globe, the nexus assessment, which explores and assesses the evidence on the interlinkages between the elements of biodiversity, water, food, health, and climate change, represents a holistic approach to addressing current and future sustainability challenges. By addressing these elements together, the assessment aims to offer solutions that maximise benefits across multiple sectors and sets out sociopolitical options that different actors can collaborate on for collaborative action.

Potential contributions include:

• A road map for integrated, adaptive and transformative governance to tackle cascading crises linked to biodiversity loss and food and water insecurity and associated health and wellbeing outcomes amid a changing climate.
• Policy options that align with global goals, including the Sustainable Development Goals, Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework and the Paris Agreement and how these options can be scaled.
• Exploration of future nexus scenarios to 2100, providing critical insights for long-term planning towards more positive outcomes across nexus elements.

CDKN’s thematic lead, Nadia Sitas, is a coordinating lead author on two of the Nexus assessment chapters and says:

“Decision-making processes are challenged by the messy, complex and hyper-connected world we live in where options for local action can be constrained or enabled by global processes and decisions and vice versa. The IPBES nexus assessment is unprecedented as it takes a complexity approach to tackling the interconnected challenges of safeguarding nature, while ensuring the achievement of food and water security and health and wellbeing outcomes for everyone, especially those currently living in marginalised contexts. We assessed tens of thousands of pieces of evidence- from diverse knowledge systems and sources including scientific literature, grey literature and Indigenous and local knowledge- and present options for action for all sectors of society, emphasising those actors that have a greater role and responsibility for being agents of change. It is an immense privilege to be part of this ambitious effort and the work doesn’t stop when the assessment is considered and approved in December- at CDKN we’ll be taking the assessment findings and recommendations and looking for opportunities for translating the knowledge into action with our diverse partners.”

Envisioning transformative change

The transformative change assessment, co-developed by 101 leading experts over three years, delves into the structural barriers and systemic changes required to halt biodiversity loss and foster sustainable development. The assessment stresses the immense potential of inclusive and locally grounded approaches.

Key anticipated outcomes include:

• A deeper understanding of how underlying drivers of environmental degradation can be addressed through transformative governance and inclusive policies.
• Identification of barriers, such as inequitable resource distribution and lack of political will, that must be overcome to create systemic change.
• Options for leveraging Indigenous and local knowledge to build just and sustainable pathways that work for both people and nature.

Locally-led work as the cornerstone

Both assessments emphasise the critical role of locally-led initiatives in driving meaningful change. Communities closest to ecosystems often possess the knowledge and motivation needed to manage them sustainably. The reports are expected to highlight the importance of:

• Equipping local actors with the tools and resources to lead on conservation and restoration efforts.
• Centering equity and inclusivity in policy design to ensure fair access to benefits and decision-making.
• Harnessing the power of community-driven action to build resilience against environmental and social shocks.

The road ahead

As negotiators gather at IPBES11 to consider these assessments, the global community waits in anticipation of the reports. These reports have the potential to shift paradigms by offering integrated approaches to addressing global challenges and centering local voices in global strategies.

Stay tuned for the media launches of the transformative change and nexus assessments in December 2024 and join the conversation on how we can collectively shape a future that benefits both people and the planet.