A recent survey by the RESPIN project revealed that many national experts struggle to contribute to the IPCC and IPBES due to a lack of institutional support, time, and funding. To address this, RESPIN hosted a webinar on 5 June titled "Strengthening Institutional Support for IPCC/IPBES Engagement." The session offered practical advice, shared expert experiences, and highlighted how institutions can better support researchers engaging with these key global science-policy bodies. A recording of the webinar is available here.
Key Takeaways from the Webinar
Challenges Identified
Nastja Elst (BELSPO) opened the session with findings from the RESPIN survey, showing that most IPCC/IPBES contributors work voluntarily, often without time allowances or recognition from their institutions. This makes sustained engagement difficult despite its importance.
Axel Pausch (Institute for Biodiversity Network) outlined how institutional support varies across countries and levels—local, national, and European—based on findings from recent RESPIN workshops in Colombia, Germany, and the European Commission.
Perspectives from IPBES and IPCC
Diem Hong Thi Tran (IPBES TSU) introduced the IPBES 2030 Work Programme and the TRACK database, which monitors how assessment results are used. She confirmed RESPIN’s findings with data from a 2020 IPBES survey, citing barriers like workload, unclear processes, and lack of funding. She highlighted the IPBES Fellowship Programme, which has supported 139 fellows from 67 countries.
Elst also outlined IPCC’s expert engagement structure, noting similar challenges. These will be summarised in RESPIN’s upcoming factsheet “IPBES and IPCC Assessments Explained – How to Engage as an Expert.”
Expert Voices from the Field
The panel discussion featured experiences from diverse contributors:
- Carlos Hernandez (IPBES Focal Point, Colombia) and Orlando Vargas (Humboldt Institute) described institutional and cultural barriers, especially for Indigenous knowledge holders. They shared how video materials and national ecosystem assessments have improved awareness and inclusion.
- François Gemenne (University of Liège, IPCC author) called the experience “life-changing” but noted a lack of university support. He urged institutions to offer formal mechanisms like time and financial compensation.
- Zuzana V. Harmáčková (CzechGlobe) highlighted the professional benefits of IPBES involvement but pointed to persistent barriers in Eastern Europe, such as limited visibility and funding. She emphasised the critical role of National Focal Points.
- Alexandre Caron (CIRAD) discussed the benefits of aligning his research with global frameworks through IPBES. He called for stronger support for Global South researchers, noting the dominance of Global North experts.
- Jennifer Hauck (CoKnow Consulting) shared her dual perspective as a paid and unpaid contributor. She noted the variability in support across institutions and pointed out gender imbalances in assessment teams, while affirming the networking benefits of participation.
In closing, Elst stressed that institutional support is essential to ensure meaningful and sustained expert contributions to global assessments. RESPIN aims to foster such support across levels to make IPBES and IPCC processes more inclusive, impactful, and sustainable.
The full report will soon be available on the RESPIN website.
