INVASIVE SPECIES – FROM GLOBAL OVERVIEW TO LOCAL CONTROL Biodiversity symposium

New global IPBES assessment released

It is estimated that invasive species cost hundreds of billions of dollars annually; the potential benefits of invasive species do not compensate for these losses, which include the degradation of ecosystem services, and food production consequences. The scale and costs of the challenge have been underappreciated until recently: in September 2023, IPBES' 140 member countries adopted the latest global assessment report, Thematic Assessment Report on Invasive Alien Species and  their Control, after four years of work led by 86 researchers and experts from 49 countries.

So far, the implementation of existing policy has been insufficient to control the global increase in threats from invasive species, but the report also points out that the spread of invasive species and their negative effects on biodiversity and ecosystem services can be limited and avoided.

Symposium 12 December 2023

Based on the tools, options, and conclusions highlighted in the Assessment, the Danish IPBES office invites you to a symposium on biodiversity and invasive species. Here, we examine the causes and consequences of invasive species introduction and establishment and discuss actionable solutions in both a global and Danish context.

Among the symposium's keynotes and presenters, we are pleased to present Professor Helen Roy, UK Centre of Ecology & Hydrology, a global expert in the field who led the Assessment’s scientific work, and Associate Professor Alejandro Ordonez Gloria, Aarhus University, Lead Author on Governance. In addition, the symposium features talks by Professor and Chair of the Biodiversity Council, Signe Normand.

The symposium is organized by IPBES in Denmark in collaboration with Aarhus University. The symposium is supported by a grant from 15. Juni Fonden.