2 February 2026

Biodiversity loss, ecological degradation and climate change are accelerating both locally and globally. This is recognised in the recent World Economic Forum Global Risks Report where five of the top ten most severe risks in the next 10yrs are environmental. The consequences of nature’s decline are stark, as highlighted in the UK Government’s assessment of national security risks arising from global biodiversity loss and ecosystem collapse.

The Intergovernmental Science‑Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES) is one of the most influential institutions helping the world respond, providing authoritative scientific advice to inform policy and decision‑making.

The UK is hosting the 12th Plenary of IPBES in Manchester from 3 February 2026 and because ISEP recognises the vital role it plays in shaping global understanding and action on nature, and we are delighted to be official observers at this important plenary meeting.

So in the run up to the meeting, now is an ideal moment to reflect on IPBES, what it does, and why its work is so important globally.

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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.


Published by:
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Lesley Wilson AISEP

Policy and Engagement Lead

Lesley is Policy and Engagement Lead at ISEP with a focus on the rapidly developing area of biodiversity and natural capital. On behalf of ISEP, Lesley also supports and is a member of the Steering Group of the UK Business and Biodiversity Forum. Lesley has worked in environmental sustainability for 15 years and previously delivered programmes and solutions in sustainability for business at the British Standards Institution, including ground breaking standards in biodiversity net gain and natural capital. Lesley has a qualifications in business management (MBA) and climate change management, and mentors environmental students at the University of Westminster.