Call for External Reviewers: Opportunity to Shape the Future of Global Biodiversity and Ecosystem Assessments

The IPBES (Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services) secretariat has invited external reviewers for a crucial document. Following the last IPBES plenary's decision to potentially undergo a second Global Assessment on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services, this initiative directly responds to a request from the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD).

The initial review deadline of June 25th has been extended to June 30th.

Why participate?

The first step in any assessment cycle is critical. It involves preparing a scoping report that defines the scope, outlines the timeline, and details the chapter organization for the planned assessment. These scoping reports undergo a comprehensive review before a plenary decision is made on whether to proceed with the assessment as outlined. The scoping report for the Second Global Assessment (2GA) is now open for review comments, with an extended deadline of June 30th. Your participation can profoundly influence the assessment's direction and focus.

How to participate? 

The IPBES secretariat has outlined a simple process for those interested in contributing to this review:

1. Register on the IPBES Website: Your first step, if not already registered, is to sign up at https://ipbes.net/user/register. This will include you in the pool of potential reviewers.

2. Sign Up for the Draft Assessment Review: Visit https://www.ipbes.net/second-global-assessment/scoping-report-review/registration and register to review the draft assessment. This is a vital step for gaining access to the document for review.

3. Review the Draft: Upon registration, you'll receive an email giving you confidential access to the draft scoping report. You should submit your comments in English using the provided template on the same webpage.

Who can participate?

This external review welcomes a wide audience, including governments, scientists, decision-makers, practitioners, and other knowledgeable stakeholders. Your participation presents a significant chance to contribute to global understanding and efforts on biodiversity and ecosystem services. Given the impact such a report has - shaping mandates for future assessments - your input and feedback are invaluable. You can find the call for experts on the IPBES website.