The International Panel on Earth System Governance
A New Global Assessment Initiative
In 2026, the Earth System Governance Project launched a major new initiative: the International Panel on Earth System Governance (IPESG). IPESG is a new science-based institution to conduct large-scale, systematic assessments of the state of research on earth system governance, bringing together hundreds of scholars from around the world. An open call for participation will be issued in May 2026 through the Earth System Governance Project.
IPESG synthesizes existing research rather than conducting new empirical studies. All assessments build on systematic reviews of the academic literature, presented in an analytical, non-prescriptive manner. IPESG draws on expertise from across regions, social science disciplines and methodological traditions, and its reports follow rigorous protocols for literature identification, screening and analysis. Work is organized around a limited number of thematic assessment domains, which focus on specific and timely research questions of high policy relevance. Initial domains in the first assessment round include plurilateral governance arrangements, the role of international organizations, just transitions, governance of earth system risks, planetary-scale technologies, public participation and governance through global goals, such as the SDGs.
IPESG builds on the active and diverse network of the Earth System Governance Project, with an overall structure designed to remain flexible and community-driven. A High-Level Advisory Board of internationally recognized experts and stakeholders provides strategic guidance and ensures policy relevance. The IPESG Secretariat, hosted at Utrecht University, supports coordination, facilitates collaboration across domains, and leads outreach and dissemination. Scientific leadership and responsibility for the content and integrity of the assessments rest with the Coordinating Lead Authors.
IPESG works closely with the Earth System Governance International Project Office at Uppsala University and with Stockholm University. In line with its scale and ambition, the Panel actively seeks collaboration with additional academic and policy-oriented organizations as institutional or strategic partners to strengthen scientific quality, global reach, and long-term sustainability.
IPESG is made possible by the generous support of the Global Challenges Foundation. The first Assessment Report will be presented in September 2027 at the annual Earth System Governance conference in Uppsala, Sweden.
Contacts
- Frank Biermann, IPESG chair, f.biermann (at) uu.nl
- Max van Deursen, IPESG managing director, m.b.w.vandeursen (at) uu.nl.
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