In order to accomplish its objective “to strengthen the science-policy interface for biodiversity and ecosystem services for the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity, long-term human well-being and sustainable development” (UNEP 2012), IPBES requires expertise in theory, methods, and empirical data from the social sciences and humanities. Nature and human culture are inextricably linked. As a consequence, meaningful assessments of the state of biodiversity, and potential policies, practices and technologies to conserve and sustainably use it must integrate knowledge on genes, species and ecosystems with knowledge on humans and societies. Moreover, an integrative approach is crucial to produce policy relevant knowledge for implementation of international targets such as the program of the Convention on Biological Diversity and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

The SSH Network is led by Håkon B. Stokland in consultation with Marie Stenseke and Marla Emery, and is an open network for anyone interested in the role of SSH in IPBES. If you are interested in joining the network, you can sign up here: https://www.nina.no/Aktuelt/SSH-Network