With IPBES 12 underway, Dr Caroline Howe, Associate Professor in Environmental Social Science at Imperial College London and Vice President of the British Ecological Society, explains what IPBES is, what to expect and why it is so important for setting the agenda on global biodiversity.
This week biodiversity experts, academics and policymakers have come to Manchester for one reason: biodiversity. Specifically, they’ve come here to set the global agenda for how businesses measure and integrate nature into their decision-making, which given that 1.2 million plant and animal species are under the threat of extinction, could not come soon enough.
Why IPBES 12 in Manchester matters
IPBES 12 is the first time the UK has hosted an IPBES Plenary, which presents an opportunity for UK institutions, businesses, civil society and the scientific community to make their mark. In particular, this includes the 2026 Business and Biodiversity Assessment, which is a first-of-its-kind evaluation of how business activities rely on and impact nature, including how nature-related risks and opportunities can be better understood.
This assessment could have big implications for how companies measure, monitor and report nature impacts and how biodiversity gets integrated into business decisions globally. It will strengthen the knowledge base to support efforts by business to achieve the 2050 Vision for Biodiversity and the objectives of the Convention on Biological Diversity. Its timing also aligns very well with the UK Government’s recent national security assessment on biodiversity loss and ecosystem collapse, and its economic growth agenda.
IPBES: what you need to know
The Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services, or IPBES (ip-bes) provides authoritative, independent scientific assessments on biodiversity and the direct and indirect benefits people enjoy from nature (called ecosystem services). It was created to bridge the gap between science and policymaking on biodiversity, while also placing a specific focus on indigenous and local knowledge to support its findings.
Established in 2012, it is not a UN agency, however it is supported by the UN Environment Programme and is similar to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. It now has 150 members and brings together scientists, policy experts, NGOs, indigenous peoples, and the business community.
What to expect at IPBES 12
The meeting begins with Stakeholder Day on 2 February, followed by the Plenary from 3–8 February.
The Plenary is supported by the Bureau, responsible for governance and administration, and the Multidisciplinary Expert Panel, which oversees scientific quality and assessments, including, this year, the discussion and acceptance of the Business and Biodiversity Assessment.
Around these core dates, there are also a range of seminars, workshops, forums and events that offer more niche entry points for people to take part.
The main output of the Plenary will be 2026 Business and Biodiversity Assessment, expected to be released on Monday 9 February.
IPBES milestones
IPBES published its first framework in 2015 and its First Global Assessment in 2019, which revealed unprecedented biodiversity decline: around one million species are threatened with extinction, and 75% of land and 65% of marine environments have been significantly altered by human activity as a result of changes in land and sea use, climate change, pollution, invasive species, and direct exploitation of nature.
The Assessment underscored the importance of biodiversity for planetary health and human wellbeing. In recognition of its impact, IPBES received the 2024 Blue Planet Prize for outstanding efforts in scientific research or applications of science that contribute to solving global environmental problems.
Since 2019, IPBES has produced 12 additional assessments, including regional and thematic reports on invasive species, values of nature, and most recently the 2024 Nexus and Transformative Change Assessments.
These highlight biodiversity as fundamental to food, water, health, and climate stability, and show that biodiversity loss and climate change are interconnected and must be addressed together.
IPBES Assessments have also highlighted the role of Indigenous and Local Knowledge as part of the assessment process. The assessments emphasise the importance of nature as a solution – for mitigating and adapting to climate change and improving human well-being with a focus on nature-based solutions e.g. sustainable agriculture.
Finally, biodiversity has been shown to be a development issue, not just an environmental one, and therefore the future requires transformative change across all technological, economic and social systems. The Second Global Assessment, due in 2028, will assess progress toward the 2030 and 2050 targets of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework and relevant Sustainable Development Goals.
Keep up-to-date on IPBES 12 by following us on LinkedIn, Instagram and Bluesky for updates from the Plenary, including videos and explainers throughout the week.
