Who is IPBES?
IPBES is an independent intergovernmental body, created in 2012 in Panama when 94 governments agreed to strengthen the interface between science and policy on biodiversity and ecosystem services.
Its mission is to provide objective, evidence‑based assessments that help governments, businesses, and civil society make informed decisions to protect nature and support sustainable development. The organisation receives secretariat services from the UN Environment Programme (UNEP), which strengthens its global reach and legitimacy (though it’s not a UN body).
Today, almost 150 Member States participate in IPBES, making it one of the world’s most authoritative voices on biodiversity and ecosystem services.
What Does IPBES Do?
IPBES produces global, regional, and thematic assessments that synthesise the best available knowledge on biodiversity trends, the drivers of change, and the policy responses needed to address them. These assessments help policymakers by:
- Identifying the underlying causes of biodiversity decline.
- Assessing the impacts on economies, food systems and human wellbeing.
- Outlining practical, evidence‑based pathways for transformation.
- Supporting capacity‑building and knowledge‑sharing across countries.
What’s Happening at IPBES‑12 in February 2026?
The 12th Session of the IPBES Plenary will take place 3–8 February 2026 in Manchester, UK, preceded by a Stakeholder Day on 2 February.
During the Plenary, member states will debate, negotiate and approve major scientific assessments, budgets, work programmes and governance decisions. This year’s session is especially significant due to the anticipated publication of a major new assessment on business and biodiversity, which examines how businesses both depend on and impact nature.
Business and biodiversity assessment publication
This assessment represents an important step in ensuring businesses have the tools needed to understand and manage their interactions with nature. This work will be central to helping companies adopt nature‑positive approaches and align with the Global Biodiversity Framework. It will:
- Provide methods and metrics to measure biodiversity impacts and dependencies.
- Strengthen the evidence base underpinning nature‑related financial disclosure.
- Support policy frameworks that encourage responsible and sustainable business behaviour.
Other agenda items
IPBES‑12 will also review:
- Progress on the methodological assessment on integrated biodiversity‑inclusive spatial planning and ecological connectivity.
- The second Global Assessment of Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services.
- Proposals for an additional report to 2030, with a focus on linkages such as pollution, urbanisation and climate.
- Recommendations for the further implementation of the rolling work programme up to 2030.
- The election of 25 members to the Expert Panel.
As part of general decision-making and governance, Member States will elect new experts to the Multidisciplinary Expert Panel and consider the findings of an external review aimed at strengthening the effectiveness and future direction of IPBES.
Why IPBES Matters
IPBES plays a critical role in shaping environmental policy and legislation. Its assessments inform national frameworks, including environmental targets, planning reforms and nature recovery strategies.
Its work provides trusted global evidence that underpins the Global Biodiversity Framework, guiding countries as they develop interventions and track progress toward the 2030 and 2050 biodiversity goals. The assessments also support countries with limited biodiversity data or technical capacity, helping them develop stronger policies, monitor biodiversity more effectively, and integrate ecosystem services into national planning.
For the UK, the upcoming Business and Biodiversity Assessment will be particularly valuable to regulators, investors and businesses striving to pursue nature‑positive objectives, supporting the UK’s leadership in sustainable finance.
Crucially, IPBES brings together governments, scientists, Indigenous Peoples, NGOs and businesses, and so fostering inclusive, evidence‑informed decision‑making.
IPBES’ scientific work, assessments and Plenary decisions influence not only ecosystems but also economies, societies, businesses and future generations. As the host nation, the UK has a significant role in championing this agenda and supporting global efforts to halt and reverse biodiversity loss.