Highlights and images for 15 December 2024

It is always darkest before the dawn. The development of the negotiations at the 11th session of the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES 11) embodied this statement. The working group addressing the thematic assessment of the interlinkages among biodiversity, water, food, and health (Nexus Assessment) experienced its “darkest hour,” a moment when deliberations were on the brink of collapse, prior to successfully completing its work.

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

It was another difficult day in the Working Group for most delegates negotiating the Nexus Assessment. Discussions proved arduous, and despite doubling the originally scheduled negotiating time, IPBES members struggled to reach consensus on outstanding, controversial issues.

An early start to the day was a strong indication that further discussions were required. Co-Chair Douglas Beard (Western European and Others Group, WEOG) guided delegates in their deliberations on the remaining key messages of the assessment. He often urged them to focus, pick up the pace, and make the necessary concessions, with limited success. Members devoted a considerable amount of time discussing all aspects of the Assessment, including its title.

Despite challenges, the working group was able to go through the Assessment’s key messages and preamble. The final revision of outstanding issues proved an almost insurmountable obstacle when strongly divergent opinions surfaced on a provision addressing food trade. With consensus distant, a delegation invoked IPBES’ rules of procedure on decision making, a significant departure from the usual collegial atmosphere prevailing in IPBES’ sessions.

Last-minute efforts and a spirit of compromise, at least from certain delegates, enabled successful completion of the work. A lengthy standing ovation ensued, which many saw as more of a sign of relief than of satisfaction. “It was painful, but we are there,” announced Co-Chair Beard.

Some delegates expressed concerns that the painstaking, line-by-line negotiations had watered down the assessment’s main messages. Many, including Co-Chair Beard and IPBES Chair David Obura, lamented arguments attacking the scientific veracity of the Assessment’s team, stressing that such practice did not do justice to the tremendous amount of work necessary to produce the Assessment.

As the working group went significantly over its allotted time, many of the Nexus Assessment’s key contributors had to depart. Co-Chair Beard, in his emotional final remarks, emphasized that “it is really unfortunate that they have to fly home wondering if all their work and dedication will actually get to approval.” With the jury still out, pending Monday’s plenary session, which is expected to adopt the Nexus Assessment’s summary for policymakers and approve its underlying chapters, they will have to wait one more day to see if their considerable efforts will come to fruition.

The same applies, to a lesser extent, to the thematic assessment on the underlying causes of biodiversity loss, determinants of transformative change, and options for achieving the 2050 vision for biodiversity (Transformative Change Assessment). Negotiations in the working group addressing the Transformative Change Assessment were more productive and efficient during the entire week, surprising many participants, who, before IPBES 11 started, expected a difficult negotiation.

Delegates worked once again late into the night to tackle all remaining items in the agenda, focusing on the scoping report of the second global assessment report on biodiversity and ecosystem services as well as on engagement with the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change.

All eyes are now on Monday’s plenary. A seasoned participant stressed that the session will be key, not only for successfully adopting the two thematic assessments and providing additional tools to address the world’s existential environmental crisis, but also to ensure that IPBES can continue playing its key role in bridging science and policy for the benefit of all.