Highlights and images for 13 December 2024

Concluding negotiations in a timely manner seems to be an ever-increasing challenge in intergovernmental processes, a participant noted, following another long day of negotiations at the 11th session of the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES 11). While IPBES has had a good track record so far, having been able to produce quality assessments and effectively overcome challenges associated with divergent priorities of its members, delegates will need to work hard for this trend to continue during IPBES 11.

Want to dig deeper into today's talks? Read the full Earth Negotiations Bulletin daily report.

Among the different agenda items, delegates aim for a successful adoption of the two thematic assessments under deliberation, in addition to the scoping report for a second global assessment report on biodiversity and ecosystem services. Before IPBES 11 began, many veterans of the process suggested that the assessment of the underlying causes of biodiversity loss, determinants of transformative change and options for achieving the 2050 vision for biodiversity (Transformative Change Assessment) may generate lively and lengthy debates, and pose challenges toward its successful adoption. Following four days of hard work, most participants seem to have changed their mind, expressing instead concerns on progress made on the thematic assessment of the interlinkages among biodiversity, water, food, and health (Nexus Assessment).

Adding to these concerns, according to the organization of work of IPBES 11, the Nexus Assessment is scheduled to be addressed in plenary on Saturday 14 December, with the expectation to adopt its summary for policymakers (SPM) and approve the underlying chapters. Throughout the day, Douglas Beard (Western European and Others Group), Co-Chair of the working group that addresses the Nexus Assessment, offered “stark reminders of how little we have accomplished” and made repeated appeals to delegates not to get bogged down in the details and stick to the critical points in their interventions.

Despite a collegial atmosphere, progress was often frustratingly slow. As a delegate explained, examining the interlinkages among Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) related to food and water security, health for all, protecting biodiversity on land and in the oceans, and combating climate change risks opening “Pandora’s box” as controversial issues surrounding all these themes resurface.

In better news, the working group addressing the Transformative Change Assessment encountered less obstacles, with informal discussions allowing significant progress, including on key messages, figures, and tables. With more time scheduled for delegates’ deliberations as the Transformative Change Assessment is only expected to be addressed in plenary on Monday, 16 December, initial skepticism has been replaced by optimism for successful conclusion of the negotiations.

As IPBES 11 slowly enters its final stretch, it remains to be seen whether IPBES members will be able to find common ground, iron out their remaining disagreements, and offer humanity two robust documents that will facilitate the path toward a just and sustainable future.