The Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES) approves and launches five landmark reports at the sixth IPBES Plenary (IPBES6) in Colombia.

Four landmark regional assessments on the status of biodiversity in the Americas, Asia and the Pacific, Europe and Central Asia and Africa have been approved and released by IPBES. Written by more than 550 leading experts from over 100 countries, the reports show that pressures on biodiversity continue to increase in all regions. Habitat stress, overexploitation and unsustainable use of natural resources, pollution, increasing impacts of invasive alien species and climate change were all identified as ongoing threats to biodiversity.

The result of three years of work, the assessments highlight that while various plans and strategies have been developed to conserve and sustainably use biodiversity, these have not generally been translated into actions. Where actions have been taken, the assessments note that these have been, for the most part, insufficient.

The world’s first comprehensive, evidence-based assessment of land degradation and restoration was also launched at IPBES6. In the report more than 100 experts outline the costs and dangers of land degradation. Worsening land degradation caused by human activities is undermining the well-being of 3.2 billion people, driving species extinctions and intensifying climate change.

Providing the best-available evidence for policymakers to make better-informed decisions, the report draws on more than 3,000 scientific, Government, indigenous and local knowledge sources. As well as highlighting the dangers of land degradation, the report identifies gaps in existing knowledge, such as the consequences of land degradation on freshwater and coastal ecosystems, as well as options for land restoration.

Jerry Harrison, Head of Conventions and Policy Support at UNEP-WCMC said that “We are pleased to support the work of IPBES throughout implementation of the first work programme, contributing in a practical way to the majority of work programme deliverables, including the five reports just released.”

Scientists from UNEP-WCMC provided technical support on the African Regional Assessment, formed part of the review team on the Thematic Assessment on Land Degradation and Restoration, and provided review comments on all assessment drafts. In addition, four staff from UNEP-WCMC participated in the sixth IPBES Plenary where these assessments were under discussion.

For more information on how UNEP-WCMC supports IPBES, please see our Featured Work page.