The Intergovernmental Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES) is undertaking a methodological assessment on integrated biodiversity-inclusive spatial planning and ecological connectivity (Spatial Planning Assessment).
The assessment is going through a single regular external review from 1 June to 24 July 2026 (8 weeks).
The objectives of the Spatial Planning Assessment are to:
- address the use and change in use of land, inland waters and sea, including areas beyond national jurisdiction,
- address approaches for the identification of areas for conservation, sustainable use and restoration, including protected areas and other effective area-based conservation measures,
- provide options for avoiding land and sea use change that negatively affects biodiversity, and options for improving planning for effective conservation, restoration and sustainable use of nature, with attention paid to different regional and national situations.
Do you wish to become a reviewer? Register to the webinar!
Biodiversa+ will help you get familiar with the Spatial Planning Assessment and how to navigate the IPBES reviewing process through a 1-hour webinar on Thursday 11 June at 1pm CEST, with Peter Verburg (co-chair of the Spatial Planning Assessment) and Marie-Claire Danner (Biodiversa+ task leader on the collaboration with IPBES and former Technical Support Unit for an IPBES Assessment).
Programme overview:
- General information about IPBES and IPBES assessments
- The Spatial Planning Assessment and where reviewers’ input is most needed
- How to register as a reviewer and write comments that have more chance to be taken into account
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 27 July 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 also organises two webinars for stakeholders on the 18th of June, from 10:00 to 12:00 CEST and 16:00 to 18:00 CEST (link to register will be made available if you register as a reviewer)
- IPBES notification (EM/2026/14)
- Spatial Planning Assessment scoping report
- IPBES – Guide for Assessment (full version, summary)
