ePeerReview: Intergovernmental Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services

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Found 58 items (out of 590 total)

Reset Your search: Secretariat of the Convention Biological Diversity (CBD) | Round 1

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): 1 Line(s): 5 Issue: Other	Ahmed Djoghlaf Institutional (secretariat@cbd.int) Secretariat of the Convention Biological Diversity (CBD)

“prepared by UNEP and France”. There is a need for full involvement of partner UN and other organizations, including all those involved in the MA follow-up. And equal involvement of countries.

Response: Noted and revised to incorporate and reflect the collaborative process of all the involved partners.

Concept Note
1. Concept Note Page(s): 1 Line(s): 18-27 Issue: Other	Ahmed Djoghlaf Institutional (secretariat@cbd.int) Secretariat of the Convention Biological Diversity (CBD)

Also need to reference here CBD Decision IX/15.

Response: Noted and incorporated in revised concept note.

Concept Note
1. Concept Note Page(s): 2 Line(s): 11-14 Issue: Clarity of text	Ahmed Djoghlaf Institutional (secretariat@cbd.int) Secretariat of the Convention Biological Diversity (CBD)

Delete: “...with focus on the impacts of ecosystem change on human well-being” as this would exclude assessments of changes in biodiversity and ecosystem services (both inherent and anthropogenic)

Response: The major value added of the MA was the link between ecosystem service changes and human well-being. To remove human well-being would imply moving away from the MA framework.

Concept Note
1. Concept Note Page(s): 2 Line(s): 14-16 Issue: Clarity of text	Ahmed Djoghlaf Institutional (secretariat@cbd.int) Secretariat of the Convention Biological Diversity (CBD)

Concern that this could be mis-interpreted. The Platform must be policy-relevant but not policy prescriptive. It must be clear that “tool and methodologies” would be enabling but not prescriptive. Perhaps developing such tools should be a function of linked activities rather than the programme itself.

Response: Comment reflected in the revised concept note.

Concept Note
1. Concept Note Page(s): 2 Line(s): 14 Issue: Clarity of text	Ahmed Djoghlaf Institutional (secretariat@cbd.int) Secretariat of the Convention Biological Diversity (CBD)

Delete “in addition”.

Response: Incorporated

Concept Note
1. Concept Note Page(s): 2 Line(s): 17-29 Issue: Clarity of text	Ahmed Djoghlaf Institutional (secretariat@cbd.int) Secretariat of the Convention Biological Diversity (CBD)

The phases need to be reformulated. See general note (d) above.

Response: Section on phased approach revised.

Concept Note
1. Concept Note Page(s): 3 Line(s): 16-18 Issue: Role of IPBES	Ahmed Djoghlaf Institutional (secretariat@cbd.int) Secretariat of the Convention Biological Diversity (CBD)

This needs elaborating and perhaps further thinking about how a global process (IPBES) is likely to influence policy action where it takes place, i.e. primarily at national level. Key to success will be interaction at national level of the Research, Science, Technology community with the Environment community and this interaction to be reflected in a global process like IPBES.

Response: This is why SGAs are a critical component of the proposed work programme for IPBES.