The IPBES regional assessment report on biodiversity and ecosystem services for Africa

Abstract

The Africa regional Assessment is the first of its kind for the continent and constitutes one of four Regional Assessments conducted under IPBES. This Assessment is a synthesis of the state of knowledge on biodiversity and nature’s contributions to people. To achieve its objectives and address the central themes, this Assessment involved the development of credible, robust and inclusive evidence from a range of knowledge systems, including peer-reviewed literature, grey literature, and indigenous and local knowledge. The Assessment aims to provide the foundation for a meaningful dialogue across the full range of stakeholders involved in African development. A number of key thematic challenges are considered by the Africa Assessment, including the food-energy-waterlivelihood nexus; climate-related risks; land degradation; invasive alien species; sustainable use; and technological innovations. The Assessment pays attention to questions of equity, poverty reduction, rights, social relationships, economic contributions, spirituality and cultural heritage in its investigation of biodiversity, ecosystem functions and nature’s contributions to people. The Africa Assessment further considers the impacts of trade and investment, along with the contribution of low-carbon, ecological and social transformations of the economy. Finally, the Assessment seeks to understand policy options for decision-makers to manage biodiversity and nature’s contributions to people under different future scenarios. By focusing on biodiversity and nature’s contributions to people, this Regional Assessment is critical to African policymakers, all constituents of African communities, civil society, the private sector, and other stakeholders involved in environmentally sensitive investments and landuse decisions.