Intergovernmental organisation’s assessment reports facilitate better science-informed policy and action across scales, sectors, and knowledge systems, says Asahi Foundation
Screengrab taken from the website of the Blue Planet Prize
Intergovernmental Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES), the intergovernmental organisation established to strengthen the science-policy interface for biodiversity and ecosystem services for the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity, is one of the two recipients of the 2024 Blue Planet Prize, it said in a statement on June 19, 2024.
The Blue Planet Prize, awarded by Japan’s Asahi Glass Foundation, is awarded annually to individuals and organisations to recognise outstanding achievements in scientific research and its application, which have helped provide solutions to global environmental problems.
The prize includes an award of $500,000.
IPBES has been awarded as it is “the leading global authority on the state of knowledge and science about biodiversity, ecosystem services and nature’s contributions to people”, the statement said, quoting the Asahi Foundation.
“The work of IPBES is central to the international efforts and negotiations under a range of multilateral processes and organizations — especially the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD),” Takuya Shimamura, chair of the Asahi Glass Foundation, said while announcing the prize.
The Board of Directors of the Asahi Glass Foundation noted that IPBES assessment reports facilitated better science-informed policy and action across scales, sectors, and knowledge systems.
“As growing numbers of companies also start to evaluate, disclose and improve their impact on the environment, businesses are also using the IPBES reports to help shape their corporate sustainability strategies and ESG activities,” the Board added.
IPBES’s co-laureate is Robert Costanza, from the Institute for Global Prosperity, University College London. He has been recognised for his foundational contributions to the field of ecological economics.
The prize will be given away on October 23 in Tokyo, Japan. A series of related events and commemorative lectures will take place in both Tokyo and Kyoto.
Past winners include prominent figures in the field of conservation and sustainable development, as well as some scientists closely associated with the work of IPBES, such as Sir Robert Watson, who served as IPBES Chair from 2016 to 2019, according to the statement.
We are a voice to you; you have been a support to us. Together we build journalism that is independent, credible and fearless. You can further help us by making a donation. This will mean a lot for our ability to bring you news, perspectives and analysis from the ground so that we can make change together.
