Landmark science-policy assessment demonstrates the need for integrated strategies in addressing interlinked global crises

The interconnected challenges of biodiversity loss, climate change, food and water insecurity, health risks, and social inequality demand urgent and integrated responses. In its landmark Nexus Assessment Report, the Intergovernmental Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES) provides a roadmap for tackling these crises, emphasising the transformative potential of many response options, including ecosystem-based approaches supported by inclusive and innovative governance and financial mechanisms. Additionally, insights from the IPBES Transformative Change Assessment further underline the need for structural shifts to build equitable and sustainable futures.

The Climate and Development Knowledge Network’s (CDKN) Ecosystem-based Adaptation Thematic Lead, Nadia Sitas, is a coordinating lead author and part of the negotiation team for the IPBES Nexus Assessment. She reports on the latest global assessments, which were approved in December 2024.

“The assessment found that current development, conservation and adaptation efforts have often failed to address interlinked crises because they are fragmented, do not acknowledge and account for underlying drivers of change and work in isolation. This has resulted in conflicting objectives, inefficiencies, perverse incentives and costs, with cascading impacts and unintended consequences- that’s the bad news…but the good news is that the assessment also found evidence for multiple options for responding to these crises that already exist, many of which are cost effective, integrated and inclusive.” – Dr Nadia Sitas

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Image credit: IISD ENB/Kiara Worth