Turning Insight into Action: How the IPBES Transformative Change Assessment Can Drive Real Change

Webinar Recording: Driving Real Change with the IPBES Transformative Change Assessment

Watch the full session and learn how the TCA can support transformative action.

The IPBES Transformative Change Assessment offers a powerful lens for understanding—and advancing—systemic change. But how can these insights be applied in practice? On May 8, 2025, the Transformations Community joined cCHANGE, and SocSES to host a global webinar exploring just that: how boundary organizations can activate the TCA to catalyze collective action for sustainability.

Transformations Community

cCHANGE

SocSES (Society for SocialEcological Systems)

What is the Transformative Change Assessment (TCA)?

The IPBES Transformative Change Assessment is a landmark global science-policy assessment that:

Explores how we can address the root causes of biodiversity loss and pathways for transformative change
Was developed over 3 years by 101 experts from 42 countries
Synthesizes over 7,000 references and 800+ visions of sustainable futures
Includes over 400 case studies of strategies and actions for systems-wide change

Read the TCA Summary for Policymakers
Access All TCA Chapters

Webinar Insights

To ground the discussion in substance, lead authors presented a streamlined overview of the five chapters of the IPBES Transformative Change Assessment—from conceptual framings and future visions to strategic entry points for systems change. These presentations sparked chapter-based breakout conversations, where participants explored how these insights could inform real-world action.

Watch the Webinar Recording and Download the Presentation slides below:

Recording:

Slides:

Supporting the TCA through Boundary Organizations

We wrapped up the webinar with a conversation with partners Karen O’Brien and Michael Schoon on how boundary organizations like the Transformations Community, cCHANGE, and SocSES can help bring the TCA into practice by:

Creating cross-sector collaboration platforms
Linking insights to policy and local contexts
Strengthening shared learning and strategic alignment

Thanks to our Panelists & Lead Chapter Authors

Karen O’Brien
(cCHANGE)

Co-chair, IPBES Transformative Change Assessment

David Obura
(IPBES Global Assessment)

Scientific Chair, IPBES

Fern Wickson
(Chapter 1)

Professor of Ocean Leadership, The Arctic University of Norway

Sebastian Villasante
(Chapter 2)

Professor of Economics, University of Santiago de Compostela

Lynne Shannon
(Chapter 2)

Associate Professor, University of Cape Town

Oonsie Biggs
(Chapter 3)

Professor and SARChI Chair, Stellenbosch University

Sergio Lambertucci
(Chapter 4)

Researcher, National University of Comahue

Niki Frantzeskaki
(Chapter 4)

Chair Professor, Utrecht University

Hannah Gosnell
(Chapter 5, IPBES TCA)

Professor, Oregon State University

Michael Schoon

Professor, Arizona State University

Bruce Goldstein

Executive Director, Transformations
Community

Invitations:

TC/ESG 2025 Conference

This webinar kicked off a conversation that will continue at the TC/ESG 2025 Conference in August, where IPBES co-chairs David Obura and Karen O’Brien will join as keynote speakers. Join us in continuing this dialogue at the TC/ESG 2025 Conference this August!

Webinar Recording: Driving Real Change with the IPBES Transformative Change Assessment