The Intergovernmental Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services: opportunities for the social sciences

Abstract

A decision taken at the 65th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in 2010 gave the green light to the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) to convene a plenary meeting to establish an Intergovernmental Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES) in 2011. A plenary intergovernmental meeting will be held in 2011 to negotiate the modalities and program of work for the IPBES. This paper provides a brief overview of what the IPBES is and what it is expected to deliver drawing on from the earlier intergovernmental meetings. The main thrust of the paper is on making a case for the strong participation by the social sciences and humanities communities in IPBES from the very beginning. The paper provides some initial thinking of ways and means of framing strategic questions drawing from the social sciences and humanities that IPBES should address which reflect more closely the demands of society.