The external review of the First Draft of the Chapters and Summary for Policymakers of the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES) Second Global Assessment of Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services is officially open. The review runs from 15 June to 8 August 2026.
Hailed as an independent, critical and scientifically rigorous evaluation of the state of Earth’s biodiversity and ecosystems’ vital contributions to society, the assessment bridges a critical science-policy gap by evaluating progress in conservation, exploring biodiversity tipping points and mainstreaming nature-positive outcomes across global economies.
The Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment serves as the focal point for IPBES in South Africa and the CSIR senior researcher Dr Phumza Ntshotsho is supporting the department by leading the organisation’s contribution to Chapter Three of the Second Global Assessment, which focuses on assessing the global and regional status and trends of nature’s contributions to people and what can be considered a good quality of life.
“The department requires not only the inclusion of Africa’s voice in this global assessment, but meaningful involvement and representation by South African experts,” says Ntshotsho.
“Good quality of life is not a new concept in general terms. In this assessment, we want to expand and interpret the concept to reflect what a good quality of life in relation to nature and in harmony with nature, means,” she says. “It presents a new way of thinking. As experts, we are also grappling with the concept in trying to define what it means to live a good quality of life in harmony with nature.”
New indicators are being developed to provide reliable evidence of progress, performance or change. “We have to use proxies, but the process is fascinating and thus far, from the internal review, the results are appearing positive,” remarks Ntshotsho.
“We look forward to engaging with our partners and gaining new insights and ultimately seeing how the analysis evolves towards the final IPBES Second Global Assessment’s completion in 2028,” says Ntshotsho.
“We will address every single comment received. Each round of feedback refines the subsequent draft,” she says. To participate as an expert reviewer, register as a user of the IPBES website https://ipbes.net/user/register and follow the remaining instructional guidelines. Furthermore, online dialogues with national focal points and stakeholders, including practitioners, will be held as part of the external review of this assessment.
Published 30 June 2026