Conversation with Andrew Gonzalez, co-founder of Habitat and co-chair of the IPBES Monitoring Biodiversity & Nature’s Contributions to People.
Nature provides vital services to human populations. It is our greatest ally in the face of the threats posed by climate change. And yet, nature is deteriorating all over the world due to the pressures exerted on biodiversity by human activities. To preserve it, we need to understand and monitor its evolution.
IPBES, the "IPCC of biodiversity"
The Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES) is an independent body made up of 147 member states. Sometimes referred to as "the IPCC of biodiversity", the platform's mission is to act as an interface between the scientific community and political decision-makers. It thus contributes to decision-making by disseminating multidisciplinary knowledge on biodiversity and ecosystems at global, regional and thematic levels.
Assessing biodiversity and ecosystem services on a global scale: an urgent need
In the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (GFB), signed in December 2022, a clear vision is emerging:
"By 2050, biodiversity is valued, conserved, restored and used wisely, sustaining ecosystem services, preserving the health of the planet and providing essential benefits to all people."
4 major objectives and 23 targets to be achieved by 2030 are set out, such as :
Protection of 30% of land, inland waters and coastal and marine areas;
Restoration of 30% of degraded ecosystems ;
Faced with these historic decisions, a number of questions emerge: Are we capable of measuring the evolution of biodiversity and ecosystems on a global scale? Can we assess the positive or negative impacts on biodiversity and ecosystems of the actions taken by States following the Kunming-Montreal agreement?
"We realized that no country could easily measure its progress on all the objectives ".
COP15 then decided to call on IPBES to assess our global capacity to measure the status and trends of biodiversity and ecosystem goods and services.
82 scientific experts mobilized over 2 years
Professors Andrew Gonzalez (Canada/UK), Patricia Miloslavich (Australia/Venezuela) and Alvaro D'Antona (Brazil) have been appointed to lead a balanced, interdisciplinary team of 82 researchers specializing in monitoring biodiversity and the contributions of nature to man in terrestrial, freshwater and marine ecosystems. The selected pool of researchers will be drawn from all over the world to ensure a good representation of the planet's socio-economic and biogeographical diversity.
These scientists will work on the four chapters of the assessment report:
1. The current context
Chapter 1 describes the purpose of the evaluation and the target audience. It describes the needs the evaluation is intended to meet, and the plan for achieving them. It presents the issues to be evaluated in subsequent chapters. For example;
What data is missing today?
Are existing data accessible to all?
How can we increase our capacity to monitor and understand changes in biodiversity?
Indeed, Andrew explains, "Some countries already have advanced technologies that enable them to obtain some of the necessary data, but the idea of the CMB is to help everyone at the same time, so that we can guide conservation action in an egalitarian and concerted way."
2. Data requirements
Chapter 2 will assess the needs in terms of data, indicators and models to inform the implementation of actions required by the goals and targets of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework. Priority will be given to assessing data needs for the headline indicators and, where possible, for other indicators in the monitoring framework.
This chapter will also look at resolving methodological issues, including the aggregation of national data into global indicators and the disaggregation of global indicators.
Other potential needs of biodiversity monitoring science, other scientific disciplines and different knowledge systems, such as those of indigenous peoples and local communities, will also be examined to support the application of indicators to inform, where appropriate, policy development, decision-making and planning, from local to national levels.
" It's a real challenge to identify the right indicators, because today the data is either missing, biased or too expensive. "
3. Assess the challenges
"It's important to know the scale of the challenge. That's why we need to make an initial assessment of our capabilities and skills," explains Andrew.
In Chapter 3, the data currently generated and the systems that collect and mobilize these data will be assessed. The possibility of finding, accessing and reusing existing data will be examined, as well as their geographical and taxonomic coverage, and any gaps.
This chapter will also assess the capacity, capability and infrastructure available to monitor biodiversity, including available remote sensing and in situ monitoring capacity, institutional support, governance structures and funding sources.
Another essential dimension to assess will be the implementation of community-based monitoring and information systems, including the role of collective action by indigenous peoples and local communities, and how to develop them.
4. Options for increasing our ability to measure biodiversity
Andrew concludes, "We already know that we lack data and the capacity to collect it. It's now very important to identify the next steps and the resources needed to build national and global capacity to monitor biodiversity change".
The final chapter will assess the financial, institutional, human and capacity needs to establish and strengthen long-term, sustainable national and sub-national monitoring projects and programs, including those led by indigenous peoples and local communities. It will explore the possibilities offered by existing and new technologies. It will identify ways of improving scientific and technical cooperation, capacity building and the voluntary implementation of information and communication technologies.
A major challenge
"Of course I hesitated when I was offered the job. It's a huge responsibility that I have to carry out alongside my other activities. But on the other hand, I couldn't say no, it's a career achievement to be able to lead a research activity on such a scale, and there's an urgent need to think about the issue of biodiversity on a global scale. "
Andrew sums up: "If I have to use an analogy to explain my work to my mother, I try to relate it to the climate crisis. Today, we know a lot about climate change trends, because we've had weather stations and satellites measuring temperatures and GHG emissions for many years. We therefore have an adequate monitoring system in relation to GHG reduction commitments. Climate monitoring helps support the implementation of mitigation and adaptation actions and measures on a global, national and even municipal scale. For biodiversity, the needs are similar. If we want to adapt our economy, our food system, our industries and our businesses for the future, we need better capacity to measure impacts and benefits."
In two years' time, the experts will deliver a report and a summary for decision-makers from all IPBES member states, a crucial step in the process of sharing knowledge and building confidence in the solutions.
The aim? To obtain firm commitments and funding to invest in biodiversity, in order to better understand and protect it.