The summary for policymakers (SPM) and the chapters of the Methodological assessment regarding the diverse conceptualization of multiple values of nature and its benefits, including biodiversity and ecosystem functions and services (referred to as the “assessment of the diverse values and valuation of nature”), were approved and accepted respectively by the IPBES Plenary during its ninth session, held from 3 to 9 July 2022 in Bonn, Germany.

The background of this assessment dates to 2013, when at its second session (IPBES 2) in Antalya, Turkey, the IPBES Plenary approved the initiation of scoping for a methodological assessment. During the third session of the IPBES plenary, in Bonn, Germany in 2015, the expert group established for scoping the methodological assessment and developing a preliminary guide, was requested to revise the scoping report for the methodological assessment based on comments received following an open review by Governments and stakeholders. At IPBES 4, in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia in 2016 the Plenary welcomed the preliminary guide on the conceptualization of values of biodiversity and nature’s benefits to people (contained in document IPBES/4/INF/13) and approved the scoping report on the methodological assessment. Later, at IPBES 6 the plenary approved the undertaking of the methodological assessment.

For further information, please consult the full scoping document.

The assessment  of the diverse values and valuation of nature provides guidance to navigate pathways for reconciling people’s good quality of life with life on Earth and advancing the intertwined economic, social and environmental dimensions of sustainable development in a balanced manner. It includes an understanding of the relations between different world-views and values, a values typology, guidelines for designing and implementing valuation methods and processes, and for embedding the diverse values of nature into decision-making and policymaking. The assessment is expected to contribute to achieving the 2050 Vision for Biodiversity, the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the future post-2020 global biodiversity framework, towards just and sustainable futures.’

The IPBES Methodological assessment of the diverse values and valuation of nature, is composed of 1) a Summary for Policymakers (SPM), which was approved by the IPBES Plenary at its 9th session in July 2022 (IPBES-9); and 2) a set of six Chapters, accepted by the IPBES Plenary.