Intergovernmental Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES)

About Intergovernmental Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services:

• It is an intergovernmental organisation established in 2012.
• It aims to strengthen the science-policy interface for biodiversity and ecosystem services for the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity
• It provides policymakers with objective scientific assessments about the state of knowledge regarding the planet’s biodiversity, ecosystems and the benefits they provide to people, as well as the tools and methods to protect and sustainably use these vital natural assets.
• This independent body was inspired by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) and the Millennium Ecosystem Assessment.
• It is not a United Nations body.  However, at the request of the IPBES Plenary and with the authorisation of the UNEP Governing Council in 2013, the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) provides secretariat services to IPBES. 
• India is a member country of this organisation.
• The governing body of IPBES (Plenary )– made up of the representatives of IPBES member States – usually meets once per year.
• Secretariat: It is located in Bonn, Germany

Key facts about the Blue Planet Prize

• It is awarded by Japan’s Asahi Glass Foundation 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.