The Intergovernmental Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES) is undertaking a methodological assessment on monitoring biodiversity and nature’s contributions to people (Monitoring Assessment), to support national and global efforts to:
- monitor biodiversity, nature’s contributions to people, and the direct and underlying causes of the observed changes
- monitor progress towards the goals and targets of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF) in support of a balanced and enhanced implementation of the Convention on Biological Diversity.
The assessment is going through a single regular external review from 5 November 2025 to 7 January 2026 (9 weeks).
Do you wish to become a reviewer?
Biodiversa+ will help you get familiar with the Monitoring Assessment and learn how to navigate the IPBES reviewing process through a webinar on Monday 24th of November at 1pm CET, with Petteri Vihervaara (coordinating lead author of the Monitoring Assessment and lead of Biodiversa+ Work Package on Monitoring) and Marie-Claire Danner (former technical support unit for the Sustainable Use of Wild Species Assessment).
This webinar will inform you about:
- IPBES and IPBES assessments in general
- The Monitoring Assessment and where input is most needed from reviewers
- How to register as a reviewer and write comments that have more chance to be taken into account
You will also have time to ask any questions.
By becoming a reviewer, you will take part in one of the most important phases of the IPBES assessment process.
The widest possible participation and most diverse engagement of interested and qualified experts, including scientists, decision makers, practitioners, and other knowledge holders from all relevant disciplines and backgrounds, is vital to ensure the scientific quality, credibility, and policy relevance of the assessment. Your expertise is crucial, as your comments will help IPBES to develop a better and more comprehensive assessment.
The names of all expert reviewers will be acknowledged in the reports, and the responses from the authors will be made available online once the assessment is approved.
You can also review the assessment without participating in the webinar and directly follow the steps below:
- Register as a user of the IPBES website if you have not already done so.
- Register to review the draft documents.
- Once registered, you will receive an email providing confidential access to the draft summary for policymakers, draft chapters, and glossary.
- Comments must be submitted in English using the Excel comment template available on the same webpage as the draft documents.
- Comments must be submitted electronically via the IPBES website. When you are ready to submit your comments, please upload your completed Excel template no later than 7 January 2026 using the “Add Review” button on the same page as the draft documents (you must be logged in to upload your template).
More information and useful resources
- IPBES is also organising a webinar for stakeholders on 10 December, 12:00-2:00 p.m. CET (link to register will be made available once you register as a reviewer)
- IPBES notification (EM/2025/57)
- Monitoring Assessment scoping report
- IPBES – Guide for Assessment (full version, summary)
