The article discusses the need for an inclusive approach to assess nature's contributions to people (NCP), which builds on the ecosystem services concept but incorporates cultural and diverse knowledge systems. The Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES) aims to assess biodiversity and ecosystem services to inform policy. NCP recognizes the role of culture and indigenous/local knowledge in understanding nature's contributions to people. The NCP approach includes both positive and negative contributions of nature to human well-being, such as food provision, water purification, and disease transmission. It also acknowledges that some contributions may be perceived as benefits or detriments depending on cultural, socio-economic, temporal, or spatial contexts. The NCP approach differs from the ecosystem services framework in that it incorporates a broader range of knowledge systems, including indigenous and local knowledge, and recognizes the interweaving of human and non-human entities in deep relationships. The NCP approach is divided into three broad categories: material, non-material, and regulating contributions. Material contributions are substances or objects from nature that directly sustain people's physical existence. Non-material contributions are nature's effects on subjective or psychological aspects of people's quality of life. Regulating contributions are functional and structural aspects of organisms and ecosystems that modify environmental conditions experienced by people. The NCP approach also includes a context-specific perspective, which is typical of local and indigenous knowledge systems. This perspective emphasizes the importance of lived experiences and cultural significance in understanding nature's contributions to people. The NCP approach aims to facilitate respectful cooperation across knowledge systems in the co-construction of knowledge for sustainability. It is expected to enhance the legitimacy and effectiveness of environmental assessments and policies by incorporating diverse knowledge systems and perspectives. The NCP approach is seen as a more inclusive and equitable alternative to the ecosystem services framework, which has been criticized for its narrow focus on economic and scientific perspectives.The article discusses the need for an inclusive approach to assess nature's contributions to people (NCP), which builds on the ecosystem services concept but incorporates cultural and diverse knowledge systems. The Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES) aims to assess biodiversity and ecosystem services to inform policy. NCP recognizes the role of culture and indigenous/local knowledge in understanding nature's contributions to people. The NCP approach includes both positive and negative contributions of nature to human well-being, such as food provision, water purification, and disease transmission. It also acknowledges that some contributions may be perceived as benefits or detriments depending on cultural, socio-economic, temporal, or spatial contexts. The NCP approach differs from the ecosystem services framework in that it incorporates a broader range of knowledge systems, including indigenous and local knowledge, and recognizes the interweaving of human and non-human entities in deep relationships. The NCP approach is divided into three broad categories: material, non-material, and regulating contributions. Material contributions are substances or objects from nature that directly sustain people's physical existence. Non-material contributions are nature's effects on subjective or psychological aspects of people's quality of life. Regulating contributions are functional and structural aspects of organisms and ecosystems that modify environmental conditions experienced by people. The NCP approach also includes a context-specific perspective, which is typical of local and indigenous knowledge systems. This perspective emphasizes the importance of lived experiences and cultural significance in understanding nature's contributions to people. The NCP approach aims to facilitate respectful cooperation across knowledge systems in the co-construction of knowledge for sustainability. It is expected to enhance the legitimacy and effectiveness of environmental assessments and policies by incorporating diverse knowledge systems and perspectives. The NCP approach is seen as a more inclusive and equitable alternative to the ecosystem services framework, which has been criticized for its narrow focus on economic and scientific perspectives.