w w w . e k l i p s e - m e c h a n i s m . e u

Working across science-policy interfaces: lessons learnt from the EKLIPSE Expert Working Group

on the IPBES Global Assessment Jesus Carrasco, Mario Giampietro, Zuzana Harmackova,

Peter Roebeling, Carla-Leanne Washbourne, Sheri Young

THE EU BIODIVERSITY STRATEGY BEYOND 2020:Research insights and needs for biodiversity and ecosystem services in Europe

Ghent, Belgium 17 – 19 June 2019

Effective transfer of knowledge between science and policy

PolicyScience Evidence-based policies

Knowledge

Knowledge

Effective transfer of knowledge between science and policy

PolicyScience

Challenges• Inter-/trans-disciplinary

collaboration• Terminological

differences• Multiple worldviews,

beliefs and normative values

• Different working practices

• ...

Effective transfer of knowledge between science and policy

PolicyScience

Expert working groups (EWG) of scientists, consultants and practitioners collaborating with policy-makers to provide guidance on best use of available knowledge in decision-making processes

Evidence-based policies

Knowledge

Knowledge

Requested by DG Environment of the European Commission

• Aim: To provide materials for the negotiations of the IPBES Global Assessment Summary for Policymakers at the IPBES-7 Plenary in Paris, (May 2019)

• Membership: 7 members from science, consultancy and practice (Europe, Australia, North America)

• Active: March – April 2019

EKLIPSE Expert Working Group on the IPBES Global Assessment

Expert Working Group

1. Verifying links between the IPBES Global Assessment (GA) Report and the corresponding Summary for Policymakers (SPM)– Justification of SPM key messages by the content of the

full report– Identifying key messages and visuals critical to defend

2. Consulting potential changes to the SPM as to facilitate evidence-based negotiations around its approval– Needs for clarification of the SPM based on the full

report– Key points and visuals missing in the SPM (with proper

anchors to the report chapters)

Specific focus

Key deliverables • Work plan and protocol• Two draft report versions• Final report and supplementary materials• Lessons learnt report

Timeline and deliverables

WPIEI IIWorking Party on International Environmental Issues (WPIEI)- official negotiations I

March 2019 May 2019

Submission of the official comments to IPBES

• A positive experience– Interesting collaboration– Knowledge combination, multiple perspectives and

dialogue, opportunity to gain a profound knowledge of the IPBES Global Assessment and its SPM

– The requesters were satisfied with the collaboration with the EWG during the action

• Output assessed by the requesters as useful, timely and high-quality

• Time limitations

Lessons learnt - overview

• Involvement and level of motivation at all stages of the action

• Regular calls and milestones• Mutual exchange of comments between the requesters

and the EWG• Regular updates with the requesters and feedback on

preliminary reports

Lessons learnt - process

• Form of the final report for the negotiators• Presence of Experts at the Plenary

• Long-term pre-negotiation collaboration between the EU requesters and IPBES assessments?

Lessons learnt - output

• A promising format of science-policy interaction and exchange related to biodiversity and ecosystem services – this action and collaboration with the requesters illustrates

that similar platforms and groups can work very well

• Lessons learnt for future science-policy interfaces, e.g. towards EU Biodiversity Strategy Beyond 2020

• Future collaboration and bridging between EKLIPSE, DG Environment and current IPBES assessments

Conclusion and future steps

w w w . e k l i p s e - m e c h a n i s m . e u

A flexible mechanism for evidence-informed decision-making affecting biodiversity and ecosystem services