ePeerReview: Intergovernmental Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services

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Found 588 items (out of 590 total)

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Concept Note
1. Concept Note Page(s): Line(s): Issue: Supportive of content	Alfred Oteng-Yeboah Individual (otengyeboah@yahoo.co.uk) CSIR-Ghana

Agrees with the concept paper.

Response: Appreciated.

Concept Note
1. Concept Note Page(s): 0 Line(s): Issue: Other	Ahmed Djoghlaf Institutional (secretariat@cbd.int) Secretariat of the Convention Biological Diversity (CBD)

(a) in its decision IX/15, the Conference of the Parties welcomed the UNEP ED’s initiative to convene an intergovernmental meeting to consider establishing an efficient international science-policy interface on biodiversity, ecosystem services and human well-being. In fact the COP strengthened the decision by underlining the importance of an “open-ended intergovernmental multi-stakeholder meeting” and by inviting Parties “to ensure that appropriate science and policy experts are made available to attend”. Moreover COP requested the CBD’s Working Group on Review of Implementation of the Convention to consider the outcome of the intergovernmental meeting and to make recommendations for consideration by COP-10, underlining the view of Parties that they see the process as very much linked to the Convention.

Response: COP decision referred to in the revised concept note.

Concept Note
1. Concept Note Page(s): 0 Line(s): Issue: IPBES and other ongoing processes	Ahmed Djoghlaf Institutional (secretariat@cbd.int) Secretariat of the Convention Biological Diversity (CBD)

There is a need to: adequately reference decision IX/15, and adequately address the points it contains, especially the need to strengthen SBSTTA and other scientific bodies of the MEAs. On the latter point, it would be critical to devise a process for scientific advisory bodies such as the SBSTTA of the CBD to be able to direct requests (e.g. for limited scientific and technical analyses and assessments) to the IPBES and for the IPBES to be in a position to respond to these in a timely manner.

Response: Decision referenced and links with SBSTTA further clarified in the revised text.

Concept Note
1. Concept Note Page(s): 0 Line(s): Issue: IPBES and other ongoing processes	Ahmed Djoghlaf Institutional (secretariat@cbd.int) Secretariat of the Convention Biological Diversity (CBD)

The note requires substantial revision: The IPBES should be designed to support and complement the mandate of SBSTTA; its governing structure should include the Chair of SBSTTA and the Executive Secretary.

Response: Links to SBSTTA have been made in revised text. In regards to membership of governing bodies see various options suggested in the working documents UNEP/IPBES/1/4 and UNEP/IPBES/1/5.

Concept Note
1. Concept Note Page(s): 0 Line(s): Issue: IPBES and other ongoing processes	Ahmed Djoghlaf Institutional (secretariat@cbd.int) Secretariat of the Convention Biological Diversity (CBD)

The IPBES should build on the experience gained by the meetings of the Chairs of the Scientific Advisory Bodies of Biodiversity-related Conventions established by the CBD Secretariat.

Response: Proposed focus and modalities of IPBES were presented to the chairs of the scientific bodies of biodiversity related conventions at the CBD COP9 and feedback was solicited in the development of the concept note.

Concept Note
1. Concept Note Page(s): 0 Line(s): Issue: Clarity of text	Ahmed Djoghlaf Institutional (secretariat@cbd.int) Secretariat of the Convention Biological Diversity (CBD)

The draft concept note is very substantive but perhaps unnecessarily detailed and overly prescriptive. Keep it Simple! Alternatively – provide a simplified overview of the need for, and objectives of, the IPBES and keep the details in a separate document (see below also).

Response: Noted and revised concept note simplified.

Concept Note
1. Concept Note Page(s): 0 Line(s): Issue: Role of IPBES	Ahmed Djoghlaf Institutional (secretariat@cbd.int) Secretariat of the Convention Biological Diversity (CBD)

Likewise, the "golden rule"of the IPBES, similar to IPCC and MA, must be that it is "policy relevant but not policy prescriptive". The draft note departs from this principle on a number of points

Response: It has been emphasized consistently in the revised concept note that IPBES has to be policy relevant but not policy prescriptive.

Concept Note
1. Concept Note Page(s): 0 Line(s): Issue: Other	Ahmed Djoghlaf Institutional (secretariat@cbd.int) Secretariat of the Convention Biological Diversity (CBD)

There are inconsistencies between the note itself and its annex. CBD Secretariat feels that the annex is a better point of departure than the note itself. The annex should use the procedures of the IPCC and MA as a starting point.

Response: The annex was drafted from the IPCC and the MA and inconsistencies have been corrected. The concept note has been developed into four working documents for the November meeting.

Concept Note
1. Concept Note Page(s): 0 Line(s): Issue: Role of IPBES	Ahmed Djoghlaf Institutional (secretariat@cbd.int) Secretariat of the Convention Biological Diversity (CBD)

There is a need for a more strategic approach, focusing on the main challenge of establishing a targeted science-policy interface – a mechanism for biodiversity and ecosystem services that can be as effective and widely regarded as is the IPCC for climate change. There are many additional elements in the note for which there is no need of further endorsement from an intergovernmental meeting. For example, capacity building to apply the lessons and methodologies of the MA is urgently needed, CBD COP has already accepted this and supported the follow-up activities of the MA. The note should see what value-added could be achieved through the intergovernmental meeting – such as an IPCC like panel with a view to carrying out a second comprehensive assessment, perhaps by 2012 to feed into the Rio plus 20 meeting in Brazil as well as CBD COP-11, or perhaps by 2014 that would feed into the 2015 target year for the MDGs as well as CBD COP-12. Reference to capacity support should remain in the concept note as it is an important element – but this should be kept as a simple objective/benefit and need not be detailed.

Response: Noted and revised concept note.

Concept Note
1. Concept Note Page(s): 0 Line(s): Issue: Other	Ahmed Djoghlaf Institutional (secretariat@cbd.int) Secretariat of the Convention Biological Diversity (CBD)

The draft needs substantial revision and would benefit from a restructuring: The concept note should reflect the strategy required at the inter-governmental meeting to obtain inter-governmental buy-in for both the establishment AND eventual effectiveness of the IPBES in terms of it being able to influence Govt. policy. That is: STAGE ONE (AND PRIORITY ONE): Get consensus on the needs and opportunity (building on existing considerations/discussion/consultation through MA follow-up/IMoSEB). (This has already been supported in part by CBD decision IX/15.) STAGE TWO: Get support to go ahead with this and consensus on process and interim arrangements. STAGE THREE: The details of operation.

Response: This will be reflected in the recommendations to be considered as an outcome of the November meeting.

Concept Note
1. Concept Note Page(s): 0 Line(s): Issue: Other	Ahmed Djoghlaf Institutional (secretariat@cbd.int) Secretariat of the Convention Biological Diversity (CBD)

A suggested structure for this document would therefore be: (i) a simplified overview which explains the need and opportunity for the IPBES – including background discussions etc. (MA follow-up, IMoSEB) and in particular should reflect the very strong acknowledgement of the needs and support for the IPBES (particularly through diverse stakeholders, including regional consultations, through IMoSEB). Currently this strong support is not reflected. This is partly covered in sections I and II of the current concept note. (ii) a section focusing on OPTION(S) for modes to establish the IPBES – largely based on relevant parts of existing section III, IV, V, VI (and parts of annex I) – note this should clearly indicate it is an option for consideration and not be prescriptive (for example focusing on the phased approach, interim structure and governance of the IPBES). (iii) a section covering more detailed administrative, operational/procedural matters – based largely on relevant parts of the aforementioned sections (and annex I – and in particular the suggested procedures for producing/approving etc. reports).

Response: The concept note has been simplified with detailed descriptions of components presented in separate working documents to be considered at the meeting in November.

Concept Note
1. Concept Note Page(s): 0 Line(s): Issue: Other	Ahmed Djoghlaf Institutional (secretariat@cbd.int) Secretariat of the Convention Biological Diversity (CBD)

As a basis, the current annex is a starting point to draft (ii) and (iii) above. It is logical that the above 3 “sections” could be stand-alone documents to clearly indicate they are different and sequential parts of the longer term strategy. Regarding strategy at the forthcoming meeting: A case could be made that it should focus only on stage one and two. Stage three is possibly premature. Regarding the details - the logical approach is that consensus on needs and modes to establish (+ basic principles) be built (= “Stage one” and a simplified “stage two”) – and that this includes establishment of a procedure which would have the mandate to itself look at the details (i.e. stage 3 – the details).

Response: The concept note has been simplified with detailed descriptions of components presented in separate working documents to be considered at the meeting in November.

Concept Note
1. Concept Note Page(s): 0 Line(s): Issue: Role of IPBES	Ahmed Djoghlaf Institutional (secretariat@cbd.int) Secretariat of the Convention Biological Diversity (CBD)

The provisions of independent scientific advice in support of the SBSTTA mandate and the provision of technical capacity-building will be very difficult to combine in a single entity as they require different skills and frameworks.

Response: There are multiple activities, reporting to SBSTTA is just one; capacity builiding has been deleted as a separate component.

Concept Note
1. Concept Note Page(s): 0 Line(s): Issue: Other	Ahmed Djoghlaf Institutional (secretariat@cbd.int) Secretariat of the Convention Biological Diversity (CBD)

The specific points made below should be read in that context and do not imply that correcting the individual points alone would be sufficient to develop a satisfactory document.

Response: n/a

Concept Note
1. Concept Note Page(s): 0 Line(s): Issue: Role of IPBES	Matthias Radosztics Government (matthias.radosztics@bmeia.gv.at) Permanent Mission of Austria to UNEP and UN-Habitat

The two comments above specifically hint to the fact that IPBES should equally benefit political decision makers and the scientific community in order to avoid creating a one-way street. A dialogue should be established between science and politics for their mutual benefit where science influences policy making and vice versa.

Response: The executive summary was rewritten to emphasize the two way dialogue between policy and scientific communities.

Concept Note
1. Concept Note Page(s): 0 Line(s): Issue: IPBES and other ongoing processes	Matthias Radosztics Government (matthias.radosztics@bmeia.gv.at) Permanent Mission of Austria to UNEP and UN-Habitat

Special attention should be paid to linking IPBES to regional platforms serving the same purpose, such as the EPBRS (European Platform for Biodiversity Research Strategy). This would coincide with the catalytic role of UNEP, specifically mentioned by UNEP’s Division of Early Warning and Assessment during the elaboration of UNEP’s Programme of Work 2010-2011.

Response: The executive summary was rewritten to emphasize the two way dialogue between policy and scientific communities.

Concept Note
1. Concept Note Page(s): 0 Line(s): Issue: Role of IPBES	Monique Barbut Institutional (mbarbut@theGEF.org) Global Environmental Facility (GEF)

An issue raised during IMoSEB consultations was that any new body/initiative should avoid duplicating the efforts of governmental and NGO scientific research or organisation at the local, regional and international levels. Therefore, the note requires more elaboration on how the IPBES will add value to ongoing work at local and regional levels on the interface of biodiversity and ecosystem services.

Response: Value added for IPBES clarified in executive summary.

Concept Note
1. Concept Note Page(s): 0 Line(s): Issue: Role of IPBES	Monique Barbut Institutional (mbarbut@theGEF.org) Global Environmental Facility (GEF)

The concept note assumes that the development of IPBES is the most cost-effective and efficient way to translate scientific knowledge into concrete policy action at national level. Within the context of GEF support to Governments to meet their obligations under the MEAs, it has been found that transforming science into policy at national level is catalyzed through program and project interventions that directly strengthen capacities at national level. Thus, the concept note would be strengthened by more carefully focusing on the added-value that IPBES can play in building capacity through synthetic analyses and assessments, like the IPCC, and avoid direct support to national capacity building.

Response: Value added for IPBES clarified in executive summary.

Concept Note
1. Concept Note Page(s): 0 Line(s): Issue: Supportive of content	Mostapha Zaher Government (dg.nepa@nepa.gov.af) National Environmental Protection Agency

NEPA of Afghanistan strongly supports concept note, will be indicating support in a follow-up letter to H.E. Steiner

Response: Appreciated.

Concept Note
1. Concept Note Page(s): 0 Line(s): Issue: Clarity of text	Thomas Rosswall Institutional (thomas.rosswall@icsu.org) International Council for Science (ICSU)

Although the document is a considerable improvement over previous drafts, it still needs technical editing for clarity in language as well as revision for consistency with regard to terms used. Examples given below. Annex 1 is written in a much crisper language than the main document. There is considerable relevant information in a parallel document “The Millennium Ecosystem Assessment Follow-up. A Global Strategy for Turning Knowledge into Action” (February 2008). I do not know the current status of this document and I have not even access to the formal version. However, much work went into its development involving all key MA partners, so it would be a great pity not to follow-up on the excellent work already done by many.

Response: Noted and revisions made to concept paper; references made to ongoing activities on biodiversity ecosystem services and human well-being undertaken by various organizations.