Free online course demystifies IPBES and IPCC for researchers and policymakers

Two acronyms shape much of the world's environmental policy: IPBES, the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services, and IPCC, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. Between them, they produce the scientific assessments that underpin agreements like the Paris Agreement and the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework. But how these bodies actually work -- who writes the reports, how evidence is reviewed, what role governments play in approving findings -- remains opaque to many of the researchers and policymakers who rely on their outputs.

A new free online course aims to change that. Launched in February 2026 on the UNDP's Learning for Nature platform, "IPBES & IPCC: Bridging Science, Policy & Practice" is the first course produced by the RESPIN project, an EU-funded initiative focused on strengthening the interface between environmental science and policy.

Five modules, ten hours

The course is structured as five self-paced modules with interactive lesson formats and a completion certificate. It runs approximately ten hours in total and is offered in English at no cost.

The first module covers the origins and evolution of both IPBES and IPCC, tracing how they grew into the scientific authorities whose assessments now influence international agreements. The second module goes inside the assessment process itself: scoping, expert selection, multi-stage review, and the government approval process that gives the final reports their political standing. It also addresses how peer-reviewed literature is synthesized alongside Indigenous and local knowledge.

Module three shifts to practical guidance for researchers who want to contribute as expert authors or knowledge holders. It covers methodological skills like scenario analysis and systematic literature assessment, along with professional competencies such as cross-cultural communication. The fourth module focuses on the role of National Focal Points -- the government-designated contacts who participate in plenary sessions and support national engagement with both platforms. The fifth module addresses how NGOs, civil society groups, and other non-state actors can engage with IPBES and IPCC through both formal and informal channels.

Bridging a persistent gap

The course targets a real problem. Environmental scientists produce research that is relevant to policy, but many lack a clear understanding of the institutional machinery that translates scientific findings into international frameworks. On the other side, policymakers and stakeholders often struggle to interpret or apply the dense assessment reports that IPBES and IPCC produce.

"Our aim is to provide accurate, relevant content that ensures a comprehensive understanding of these crucial bodies," the RESPIN project team stated.

The course does not position itself as a substitute for direct participation in assessment processes. Rather, it offers a foundation -- the kind of institutional literacy that makes effective participation possible in the first place.

What the course does not cover

Worth noting: the course is introductory. It does not delve into the substantive scientific content of specific IPBES or IPCC reports, nor does it address the criticisms that both bodies have faced regarding their assessment methodologies, political dynamics in the approval process, or the gap between report recommendations and actual policy implementation. These are complex topics that a ten-hour course can introduce but not resolve.

The course is also currently available only in English, which limits accessibility for non-English-speaking researchers and policymakers in regions where biodiversity and climate issues are most acute.

Access and enrollment

Enrollment is open and free through the Learning for Nature website. The RESPIN project is funded by the European Union and focuses on strengthening science-policy interfaces for biodiversity and climate change through educational resources aimed at a diverse range of experts and stakeholders.