IPBES Transformative Change Assessment

• 01 Jan 2025

For Prelims: IPBES, United Nations, United Nations Environment Programme,  Carbon-neutrality, National Biodiversity Action Plan (NBAP), Swachh Bharat Abhiyan, National Action Plan on Climate Change. 

For Mains: Biodiversity Conservation, Governance for Sustainability, Public Policies for Environmental Protection 

Source: IPBES 

Why in News?

A report released by the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES) titled Transformative Change Assessment, stresses the critical role that governance plays in mitigating biodiversity loss.  

• It highlights how effective governance, with its focus on inclusivity and sustainability, is essential for preserving biodiversity and driving long-term, systemic change. 

What are the Key Highlights of the Transformative Change Report? 

• Prevent Ecological Damage: The report highlights the urgent need for fundamental shifts in how societies interact with nature to prevent biodiversity loss, warning that inaction could lead to irreversible ecological damage, including the loss of coral reefs and rainforests. 
• Economic and Employment Opportunities: Immediate action could generate USD 10 trillion in business opportunities and support 395 million jobs globally by 2030, especially in industries that depend heavily on nature. 
• Causes of Biodiversity Loss: The report identifies the root causes as the disconnection between people and nature, domination over nature and others. 
  • Other causes include the concentration of power and wealth, and prioritizing short-term material gains over long-term sustainability. 
• Five Key Strategies for Transformation: 
  • Conserve and Regenerate: Focus on areas of biocultural diversity that combine environmental restoration with cultural values, such as community-driven forest management in Nepal. 
  • Systematic Change in Key Sectors: Address sectors like agriculture, fisheries, and infrastructure that contribute to biodiversity loss through sustainable practices. 
  • Transform Economic Systems: Shift toward nature-positive economies by reforming harmful subsidies and promoting sustainable business models. 
  • Adaptive Governance: Build Adaptive governance systems that integrate diverse actors, including Indigenous communities, and make biodiversity a central concern in policies. 
    • Adaptive governance enables continuous adjustment of strategies based on changing environmental conditions and new information. 
    • This flexibility is crucial for addressing complex biodiversity challenges and remaining responsive to emerging threats. 
  • Shift Views and Values: Promote the recognition of human-nature interconnectedness, with an emphasis on education, experiential activities, and integrating diverse knowledge systems. 

IPBES 

• IPBES, established in 2012, is an independent intergovernmental body with nearly 150 member governments including India.  
  • It provides scientific assessments on biodiversity, ecosystems, and their contributions to people, along with tools and methods for their protection and sustainable use. 
• It is not a United Nations body.  However, the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) provides secretariat services to IPBES.  
• Secretariat: Bonn, Germany.

What is Transformative Change and How Can it be Achieved? 

• Transformative Change: It is a fundamental, system-wide reorganization across technological, economic, and social factors, including paradigms, goals, and values, necessary for the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity, and achieving a good quality of life and sustainable development. 
• Steps to Achieve Transformative Change: 
  • Carbon-Neutral Actions: Strive for carbon-neutrality, making it a norm for individuals, businesses, and governments, while supporting legitimate climate-friendly offsets. 
  • Earth-Positive Choices: Make it easy, enjoyable, and affordable for people to contribute positively to the environment by shifting supply chains and influencing policies. 
  • Reforming Subsidies: Redirect subsidies and incentives to support environmental stewardship and facilitate transitions away from resource-extractive industries to sustainable practices. 
  • Precautionary Decision-Making: Implement precautionary, adaptive, inclusive, and cross-sector decision-making, addressing environmental threats proactively, even without definitive proof. 
  • Strengthening Environmental Laws: Advocate for stronger environmental laws, ensuring consistent enforcement, and supporting global initiatives that protect nature and promote sustainable economic activities.

What are India’s Initiatives for Transformative Change?

• National Biodiversity Action Plan (NBAP). 
• Swachh Bharat Abhiyan. 
• National Action Plan on Climate Change. 
• Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of Hybrid and Electric Vehicles (FAME). 
• Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY). 
• Mission LiFE (Lifestyle for Environment). 
• Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation (AMRUT). 
• SDGs for Transformative Change: The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) for transformative change focus on sustainable development through inclusive growth, addressing Life Below Water, Climate Action, Clean Energy, Clean Water, Responsible Consumption, and Life on Land.    
  • India's initiatives like the Smart Cities Mission, Green India Mission, Swachh Bharat Abhiyan, Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana, and National Clean Energy Fund align with various SDGs.  
  • India has made substantial investments in renewable energy, aiming to generate 500 GW from non-fossil sources by 2030, under the leadership of the International Solar Alliance.

Drishti Mains Question: 

Discuss the concept of transformative change. How can this be implemented to address biodiversity loss and achieve sustainable development?

UPSC Civil Services Examination, Previous Year Questions (PYQs) 

Prelims

Q1. Which of the following can be threats to the biodiversity of a geographical area? (2012) 

1. Global warming 
2. Fragmentation of habitat 
3. Invasion of alien species 
4. Promotion of vegetarianism 

Select the correct answer using the codes given below: 

(a) 1, 2 and 3 only 

(b) 2 and 3 only 

(c) 1 and 4 only 

(d) 1, 2, 3 and 4 

Ans: (a) 

Q2. Biodiversity forms the basis for human existence in the following ways: (2011) 

1. Soil formation 
2. Prevention of soil erosion 
3. Recycling of waste 
4. Pollination of crops 

Select the correct answer using the codes given below: 

(a) 1, 2 and 3 only 

(b) 2, 3 and 4 only 

(c) 1 and 4 only 

(d) 1, 2, 3 and 4 

Ans: (d) 

Mains

Q. How does biodiversity vary in India? How is the Biological Diversity Act,2002 helpful in the conservation of flora and fauna? (2018)