Today is the first day of a plenary meeting to discuss and decide upon the formation of the Integovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES), convened by the UN Environment Programme. Representatives from the United Nations, and observers from NGOs and other bodies, have assembled in Nairobi, Kenya, to consider how IPBES will operate and, amongst other decisions, determine where the IPBES secretariat will be located.

On the eve of the meeting, Prof. Bob Watson, Defra’s Chief Scientific Adviser, gave an interview to the Independent newspaper, in which he outlined his hopes for IPBES. Prof. Watson suggested that the only way in which IPBES can function effectively will be if developing nations have ownership over any in-country ecosystem assessments which are conducted, and if these are conducted by scientists from that nation – similar to the UK National Ecosystem Assessment. “If they think that this is just the white world, the developed world, telling them what to do, that’ll be the end of it.”

The BES, together with the UK Biodiversity Research Advisory Group (UK BRAG) organised a session at the BES Annual Meeting in Sheffield last month which introduced the IPBES to the assembled ecologists. Dr Andrew Stott, Defra’s representative to IPBES from the civil service, outlined the role of IPBES, as agreed at a meeting in Busan, South Korea, in 2010. A copy of Dr Stott’s presentation is available from the BES website.

As outlined by Dr Stott, IPBES will:

- Generate new knowledge: identifying information needed for policy; catalysing research and surveying
- Conduct regular and timely assessments: at global, regional and sub-regional scales; and on thematic and ‘new topics identified by science’.
- Provide support for policy formulation, through promoting access to policy-relevant tools and methods;
- Have a capacity building function: identifying needs; supporting the highest priority needs; catalysing funding.

IPBES is intended as an ‘IPCC for biodiversity’; a credible, scientifically independent body which is policy relevant but not policy prescriptive (similar to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change).

At the plenary meeting over the next few days decisions will be made about how the IPBES is structured; whether, for example, a scientific advisory group is formed which can advise the Plenary – the IPBES decision-making body- on scientific and technical aspects of the work programme and which can approve specific scientific procedures related to how ecosystem assessments are conducted. A further meeting in Nairobi, in March/ April 2012, will see delegates decide on further aspects of how the IPBES will work, including its work programme.

As IPBES develops, there are likely to be opportunities for ecologists and others to get involved with the conduct of assessments and with capacity building, although questions remain about how to incentivise scientists to take part in these activities (for example, through university reward structures such as the Research Excellence Framework). Ecologists and others in the UK who would like to find out more about IPBES and who would like to remain fully engaged with the development of the Platform, can join the UK Stakeholder Group, maintained by the Joint Nature Conservation Committee (JNCC).

Booking is now open for the IEEM Annual Conference, which will take place from 2 – 3 November 2011, in Liverpool. The theme of the meeting is ‘rebuilding biodiversity’ and sessions will cover the strategic and practical approaches to conserving and rebuilding biodiversity in the UK.

The conference will paint the ‘European picture’; examine current biodiversity conservation tools available (including biodiversity offsetting); consider the evidence base for priority actions (biodiversity auditing as well as recent climate change research); and feature practical case studies (small and large scale) in the terrestrial and aquatic sectors.

This conference will appeal to all ecologists and environmental managers working in either the public or private sector.

To view the full conference programme, get further details and to book your place, please visit the conference website.

26-29 March 2012

Abstract submission is now open for this major international science conference focusing on solutions to the global sustainability challenge.

This is an open call for participants and for abstracts for presentations and posters to be submitted against the session topics described on the conference website under the following outline:

-Day 1: State of the planet: the latest knowledge about the pressures on the planet

-Day 2: Options and opportunities: exchanging knowledge about ways of reducing the pressures on the planet, promoting transformative changes for a sustainable future and adapting to changes in the global system

-Day 3: Challenges to progress: clarifying what is preventing or slowing humanity from implementing potential solutions

-Day 4: Ways ahead: a vision for 2050 and beyond, and exploring new partnerships and pathways towards global sustainability

Each day will include relevant aspects of the conference themes:

- A. Meeting global needs: food, energy, water and other ecosystem services
- B. Transforming our way of living: development pathways under global environmental change
- C. Governing across scales: innovative stewardship of the Earth system

The closing date for abstract submission is 19 August 2011.
Please note, additional sessions will be advertised over the next few weeks.

Developing World Involvement

A mentoring scheme is available for those who would like guidance in preparing abstracts and developing presentations for the conference. The conference organisers are also aiming to offer financial assistance to participants from the developing world.

Why you should attend

The conference will provide a comprehensive update of the pressure planet Earth is now under. The conference will discuss solutions at all scales to move societies on to a sustainable pathway and will provide scientific leadership towards the 2012 UN Conference on Sustainable Development – Rio+20.

The programme is designed to attract senior policymakers, industry leaders, NGOs, young scientists, the media, health specialists, and academics from many disciplines.

For further information on submitting an abstract, conference themes and sessions, mentoring and funding visit: www.planetunderpressure2012.net.

[From the NERC Knowledge Exchange List Server]

Last night the BES Policy Manager attended a lecture at the Geological Society, delivered by Nobel Laureate Prof. Paul Crutzen. Professor Krutzen’s lecture marked the end of a day-long conference on ‘The Anthropocene: A New Epoch of Geological Time?’ Prof. Krutzen explored the concept of the anthropocene – a term which he originated to describe the current period of history in which mankind is the predominant influence on the climate system – through a wide-ranging talk which also touched on his research interests and a potential solution to global warming through geoengineering.

Introducing Prof. Crutzen, Dr Bryan Lovell, President of the Geological Society, praised both his scientific genuis and his contribution to public affairs. Prof. Krutzen won the Nobel Prize in chemistry in 1995 for his work on the hole in the ozone layer. By characterising the period of time since the 18th Century as the ‘anthropocene’ he has highlighted man’s impact on the environment and climate to policy-makers.

In recent years Prof. Crutzen has advocated releasing particles of sulphur into the atmosphere, which could reflect sunlight and thereby cool the earth, if global warming results in temperatures increasing by more than 2 degrees centigrade over time. There are real issues with this approach which would need to be resolved before it could be considered however, including unforeseen effects. One point made by a questioner from the audience was also very pertinent; it is not clear how governments, which have found it incredibly hard to tackle a problem which is well understood – the release of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere – will be able to agree about enacting a solution that they understand even less well. The release of sulphur particles to promote global cooling would also do nothing to tackle ocean acidification, caused by increasing levels of carbon dioxide dissolving in sea water.

As Professor Crutzen’s talk made clear, mankind’s activities are impacting on both the biotic and abiotic components of the natural world; from species, to the availability of nutrients such as phosphorus, necessary for the growth of vegetation, to the rate of erosion of sedimentary rocks. The premise of the anthropocene is that man has created a new geological period, in which we are affecting the environment around us, have the power to do so deliberately, and therefore necessarily the power to address and reduce our impacts.

Further details of the event at the Geological Society can be found here.

The latest round of UN climate change negotiations (COP16) begins today in Cancún, Mexico. Representatives from 193 countries will meet over the next fortnight, in hopes of securing an international deal on climate change. Several world leaders including the US president and UK Prime Minister, David Cameron, will not be attending the conference, amidst worsening claims that developed countries are not committed to creating the ‘green growth’ economic model required to tackle climate change.

It is widely thought that Cancun will fail to produce a successor to the 1997 Kyoto Protocol, which runs out in 2012. However, key issues on the table at COP16 include the REDD (Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Degradation) programme, and international climate finance, for adaptation in developing nations.

The Energy and Climate Change secretary, Chris Huhne, will join the second week of talks, having already downplayed hopes of reaching any legally binding agreement. In a statement to the Guardian last week, the secretary warned that: “The objective is to reinvigorate the talks. Success means getting the world to within shouting distance of a deal, keeping the show on the road and making practical progress on areas like forestry, finance and reduction commitments”. However, the prime minister has stated that Britain would act unilaterally if a deal could not be reached, in a letter to the Observer published yesterday. The UK will be pushing for more ambitious targets in the EU-moving towards at least a 30% cut in greenhouse emissions from 1990 levels by 2020 – targets which could also be economically beneficial across the European bloc.

The draft programme for the joint BES – Natural England conference on ‘Adapting Conservation to a Changing Climate’ is now available online. Professor Sir John Lawton will begin the meeting, taking place at Charles Darwin House on 11-12 January 2011, with a presentation on ‘making space for nature in a changing world’. Other speakers on day one include Prof. Andrew Watkinson, Director of the Living with Environmental Change programme and Dr Jan Plesnik, joining us from the Czech Republic to discuss the European context for adapting nature conservation to climate change. Day two will see presentations from amongst others, Prof. Chris Thomas at the University of York on identifying those species which will require the most assistance to adapt to climate change; Dr Pam Berry from the University of Oxford and Dr Olly Watts from the RSPB.

The two days will see a mix of high-quality presentations and break-out group discussions, with ample opportunities for poster viewing. Networking opportunities will be provided by an optional conference dinner on day one, and a drinks reception (included in the registration fee).

Effective adaptation research requires a strong partnership between researchers, practitioners and policy makers. It is essential that adaptation measures are developed on the basis of sound science, combined with a rigorous assessment of their feasibility and acceptability to society. This conference will therefore bring scientists together with policy makers and those who are actually implementing adaptation measures.

Find out more and register for the meeting.

All the latest news from this week’s BES Annual Meeting (taking place until lunchtime on 9th September at the University of Leeds) is available on the BES Annual Meeting Blog. We’ve been making a splash in the media with features from the conference, with stories on migratory birds, bumblebees and marine renewable energy all hitting the headlines over the past few days.

Don’t forget that you can also stay up to date with news from the conference by following us on Twitter. Search for #bes2010.

The British Ecological Society’s annual meeting begins today at the University of Leeds. The meeting is Europe’s largest gathering of ecologists. Hundreds of scientific papers will be presented at the meeting. Highlights include:

The BES Lecture, given by Professor Andrew Watkinson, director of Living with Environmental Change and former director of the Tyndall Centre for Climate Change Research at the University of East Anglia.
Society faces a range of challenges from climate change to biodiversity conservation. Addressing these challenges demands a robust evidence framework for action. In addition, research increasingly needs to be seen to stimulate the economy, particularly the green economy. In his lecture, entitled Making a difference: research with impact, Professor Watkinson will examine how researchers should respond to these challenges.

In his Presidential Address, BES President Professor Charles Godfray will discuss Mosquitoes, malaria and ecology, arguing that ecology is critical for successfully controlling diseases spread by insects. We know surprisingly little about the ecology of major insect vectors of malaria in Africa, what they eat and how their populations are regulated. Professor Godfray will describe recent novel ideas for controlling mosquito vectors of malaria, and explore how ecological sciences can assist in their deployment.

Ecologists will report new findings on how inbreeding among bumblebees in the Western Isles of Scotland could be increasing their risk of extinction; explain why white-clawed crayfish from running water are thinner than those living in still water – information vital to saving this species from extinction in England and Wales; and reveal new ways of monitoring the impacts of Wave Hub, a site off Cornwall where wave energy converters are tested.

The BES team will be blogging from the annual meeting, at http://britishecologicalsociety.org/blog/2010am/. You can also follow news from the meeting on Twitter (#BES2010).

2-4 November 2010
Dublin, Ireland

The conference aims to:

- investigate how biodiversity policies and legislation including the Common Agricultural Policy, Fisheries Policy and the Marine and Coastal Access Bill) are affecting and driving biodiversity conservation;
– showcase biodiversity tools and methods available to ecologists; and
- review case studies of some of the more practical methods used in biodiversity projects.

Keynote speakers include:

Mairead McGuinness, MEP
John Cross, NPWS
Damon Stanwell-Smith, UNEP WCMC
John Finn, TEAGASC
Patricia Almeida-Villella MIEEM, Marine Management Organisation
Neil Wellum, Marine Management Organisation
Liam Lysaght, Director, National Biodiversity Data Centre
Matthew Jebb, Director of Dublin Botanical Gardens
Heather Thompson, Chief Executive, Ulster Wildlife Trust
Paul Wilkinson, Head of ‘A Living Landscape’, Royal Society of Wildlife Trusts

To view the full programme and to book you place, please visit the IEEM conference webpage.

Yesterday saw the launch of the ‘TEEB for Business’ report at the first annual Global Business of Biodiversity (GBOB) symposium, at the Excel Centre in London. The BES policy team was there, with other members of the Natural Capital Initiative secretariat, to see Pavan Sukhdev, TEEB study leader, unveil the report to an assembled audience of policy-makers, representatives from NGOs and business leaders. Although business still has a long way to go in terms of recognising the importance of biodiversity and sustainability in supply chains, it was encouraging to see that at least some companies have taken this to heart – and are showing leadership to others.

The Chief Executive of Rio Tinto delivered a presentation outlining why he thought that investing in biodiversity made sound business sense. Business is clearly first and foremost about the ‘bottom line’; economics and the profit margin. However, in order to maintain access to land and resources in perpetuity, Rio Tinto seems to have recognised that this depends on creating a reputation as a company which is not simply going to trash the environment to achieve the biggest profit, but on developing a reputation for ‘Corporate Social Responsibility’. CEO Tom Albanese said that Rio Tinto wants to create a ‘net positive impact’ for biodiversity.

Gavin Neath, Vice-President for Global Communications at Unilever delivered a presentation showcasing the company’s work in environmental stewardship. Unilever solely owns, and sustainably manages, its tea plantations. Flagging its sustainable practices up to the consumer has resulted in a consumer perception that tea processed in this way actually tastes better, delivering financial returns for the company.

A common theme to emerge from the day was the need for better communication and a ‘new language’ around the concepts of biodiversity and ecosystem services. This was perhaps most strongly illustrated by Pavan Sukhdev, who said that if he could have the opportunity once more he would re-name the TEEB study, ‘TEN’, the ‘Economics of Nature’. Pavan highlighted one of the next steps in the TEEB project, ‘TEEB for People’, which will see the creation of a website with social networks spinning off from this. It’s hoped that the public will engage with this resource – but there’s no doubt that either developing a new common language to describe the importance of biodiversity and ecosystem services, or working out means to better communicate using existing terminology, is vital.

Secretary of State at Defra, Caroline Spelman, delivered an address in the afternoon. The Minister used the opportunity to announce that in August, Defra will start a process of mapping the UK’s supplies of palm oil. The Government will work with companies and NGOs to produce a plan to shift the UK’s use of palm oil onto a sustainable footing. This is very encouraging. Less encouraging was the Minister quoting a figure of £3 million to support the implementation of REDD+ (Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation), where previously government had committed a much higher sum. The Minister’s answer to a query from the audience referenced the very difficult economic times ahead and the budget cuts which Government departments are being asked to make. By the Comprehensive Spending Review in the autumn it will be clear how other commitments are to be down-scaled: the conservation and ecological science communities have a role to play in advising Government in how to prioritise the cuts, making sure that harsh economic times to come do not compromise advances in environmental protection.

Overall, an interesting meeting. The role that business can play in highlighting the importance of biodiversity conservation, leading the way for consumers, was clear. The next steps must be to move from the conference centre to the board room of those companies not represented: to cease ‘preaching to the converted’ and to engage proactively with those harder to reach.