In the context of the current discussions on two science-policy interfaces on biodiversity and ecosystem services, an Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES) and a "European mechanism", the European Platform for Biodiversity Research Strategy (EPBRS) and Biostrat are organising a workshop to develop the concept of Network of Networks or Network of Knowledge that was raised at the ad hoc meeting on IPBES held in Putrajaya, on Nov 10-12th 2008.

The "Workshop on a Network of Knowledge on Biodiversity: a contribution from Europe" was held on May 6th at :
Palace of the Academies, Rue Ducal 1/ Hertogsstraat 1, 1000 Brussels

Introduction:

For the past 4 years, scientists and policy makers around the globe have been discussing the creation of an intergovernmental science-policy interface on biodiversity, first in the Consultative Process Towards an International Mechanism Of Scientific Expertise on Biodiversity (IMOSEB) and more recently in an ad hoc Intergovernmental and Multi-Stakeholder Meeting on an Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES).

The IMOSEB European consultation workshop (Geneva, April 2007) concluded in particular that "The preferred option [for a new mechanism on scientific expertise] is some form of network of networks."

The Chair´s report of the meeting on an IPBES (Putrajaya, November 2008) states that "there was general agreement among the participants that there was a real need to strengthen the science-policy interface". It further states that such a platform should provide more effective means to support multiple-scale assessments, compile, assess and synthesise existing scientific knowledge to provide early warning and policy-relevant information on biodiversity and ecosystem services, and to contribute to building capacity. 

This workshop aimed to bring together for the first time all relevant European institutions and networks and to assess whether and how a European Network of Knowledge on Biodiversity could work (breakout groups).

The workshop was convened by the European Platform for Biodiversity Research Strategy (EPBRS) and by Biostrat. The workshop was co-organised by the European Environmental Agency (EEA), the European Commission, the Flemish Community (Research Institute for Nature and Forest), the  Institute of Landscape Ecology of the Slovak Academy of Sciences and the Belgian Biodiversity Platform- Belgian Science Policy Office.

Workshop main objectives

1. to examine, test and improve ways to identify, formulate and exchange policy-relevant scientific knowledge on biodiversity,
2. to contribute to comparable initiatives and thinking across the world,
3. to encourage knowledge providers to think about how they might work together to demonstrate the feasibility of the concept

Process

This workshop used an interactive and participatory method adapted from AmericaSpeaks/Global Voices’ “21st Century Town Meetings®”.

The organizers wanted the workshop to focus, as far as possible, on concrete examples, and not to lose itself in theory. Participants used these questions to explore how science is - or might be - gathered and presented to policy and practitioners, and to suggest ideas for an effective European mechanism that builds on existing networks to deliver knowledge to a science policy interface. Meeting guidelines were made available to participants.

Outcome

Immediately after the meeting participants received a summary of the workshop results in bullet points
The concept note will be revised in accordance with the insights gained at the workshop and made available to all participants and more broadly
A summary of the salient points will be made available to the Council Working Party on International Environmental Issues (biodiversity conformation).

Workshop documents

Agenda

Workshop report including list of participants (pdf)

Posters:

- GBIF Posters

Background documents

Concept note on a European Network of Knowledge on Biodiversity revised version of September 10 2009 (EPBRS)

Gap analysis for the purpose of facilitating the discussions on how to strengthen the science-policy interface: Note by the Executive Director : UNEP/GC.25/INF/30

The Debate on an Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES): Exploring gaps and needs (Van den Hove & Chabason in press)

Intergovernmental science-policy platform on biodiversity and ecosystem services: Report by the Executive Director : UNEP/GC.25/15