On 7 May 2026, CRED had the pleasure of hosting Debora Ley, a contributing author to the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES) Nexus Assessment, for a presentation and panel discussion on the urgent interlinkages between biodiversity, water, food, health, and climate change. The event brought together researchers, students, and practitioners to reflect on how integrated governance approaches can help address today’s interconnected environmental and societal crises.
Understanding the Nexus Approach
During her presentation, Debbie Ley introduced the key findings of the IPBES Nexus Assessment, a landmark global scientific assessment exploring the interconnections among biodiversity, water, food systems, human health, and climate change. The report emphasizes that these crises cannot be addressed in isolation, as each element is deeply connected to and dependent on the others.
Ley highlighted how indirect drivers including GDP, material intensity, overconsumption, among others intensify the direct drivers of environmental degradation. These direct drivers include land- and sea-use change, pollution, climate change, invasive species, and unsustainable exploitation of natural resources, all of which influence the nexus elements of biodiversity, water, food, health, and climate systems.
She warned that the continuation of current trends could lead to substantial negative outcomes across all nexus elements. At the same time, she emphasized that prioritizing one nexus element over another without considering broader interconnections can create undesirable trade-offs. Drawing on the findings of the IPBES Nexus Assessment, Ley called for an integrated and timely adoption of multiple response options, many of which could be highly relevant for local governance processes in Norway and the Follo region.
A Panel Discussion on Local Governance and Practical Challenges
Following the presentation, a panel discussion brought together Håkon Borch from NIBIO, whose work focuses on urban greening and vegetation ecology; Meley Mekonen Rannestad, who works on climate-smart and sustainable governance; Olav Fjeld Kraugerud, a local politician in Follo; and Debbie Ley. The discussion was moderated by Siri Eriksen, professor and researcher known for her work on climate adaptation, vulnerability, and sustainable development.
The panel explored how the IPBES Nexus Assessment can be translated into local policy and governance contexts. Håkon Borch raised critical questions regarding the direct relevance of the report to Norwegian municipalities and the Follo context, emphasizing the importance of adapting global frameworks to local ecological and institutional realities.
In response, Debbie Ley stressed that the assessment offers a broad range of response options and governance pathways, many of which can be highly policy relevant at the municipal and regional levels. She argued that while contexts differ, the interconnected nature of biodiversity, climate, food, and health challenges makes integrated approaches increasingly necessary everywhere.
Meley Mekonen Rannestad highlighted the importance of acknowledging trade-offs in sustainability governance, noting that difficult decisions often have to be made when balancing environmental, economic, and social priorities. Olav Fjeld Kraugerud reflected on the realities of municipal governance on the ground, explaining how financially constrained municipalities often struggle to prioritize long-term sustainability measures unless sufficient incentives and political support are in place.
Questions from the Audience
The event concluded with an engaging Q&A session. Audience members raised questions regarding the Circularity Gap Report and the limitations of current recycling systems in practice, particularly how recycling alone has not been sufficient to address rising levels of material consumption and waste generation.
Participants also discussed the differences between the Global North and Global South when it comes to implementing sustainability response options. Questions were raised about fairness, responsibility, and the unequal capacities of countries and regions to adopt and finance transformative environmental policies. These reflections highlighted the importance of equity and context-sensitive approaches in sustainability governance discussions.
The Way Ahead
The event demonstrated the growing importance of nexus thinking in both research and policymaking. By bringing together scientific expertise, local governance perspectives, and public engagement, the discussion highlighted both the opportunities and the challenges of implementing integrated sustainability solutions.
As municipalities and communities increasingly face interconnected environmental and social pressures, there is more than ever need for platforms for dialogue and engagement on how global scientific assessments can inform practical, locally grounded action.