Governments, Scientists, and Biodiversity Leaders Convene in Manchester for Pivotal IPBES12 Plenary Session and Groundbreaking Business & Biodiversity Report Release
The vibrant city of Manchester, renowned as the cradle of the Industrial Revolution, is set to become the epicenter of global biodiversity dialogue as it hosts the twelfth plenary session of the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES) next week. This high-profile event will gather representatives from over 150 member governments, alongside the world’s leading biodiversity experts, in a concerted effort to address the complex interdependencies between business practices and the natural environment.
At the heart of this plenary session lies the anticipated endorsement of the landmark IPBES Business and Biodiversity Assessment Report, a comprehensive scientific evaluation that meticulously documents the multifaceted impacts businesses have on biodiversity and ecosystem services worldwide. This report synthesizes years of rigorous research, drawing on interdisciplinary data streams that encompass ecological science, economic modeling, and policy analysis, offering an unprecedented evidence base for transformative action.
Manchester’s historical significance as a pioneering industrial hub imparts symbolic weight to the gathering, underscoring the urgency of recalibrating the relationship between economic activity and ecological sustainability. The city’s legacy inspires the discussions aiming to forge novel pathways where commercial enterprises integrate biodiversity preservation as a fundamental operational principle, moving beyond traditional profit-centric paradigms.
IPBES Chair Dr. David Obura emphasized the critical timing of this plenary: “This moment represents a pivotal juncture for scientific innovation and international cooperation. Collective, well-informed policy decisions anchored in robust science are indispensable for safeguarding biodiversity, which underpins human well-being, security, and prosperity. Hosting this session in Manchester aligns perfectly with the city’s heritage of transformative change.”
The plenary will undertake a robust deliberative process, scrutinizing the methodologies employed in the Business and Biodiversity Report, its scoped metrics, and the policy recommendations stemming from its findings. The report bridges ecological science with business imperatives by deploying advanced frameworks such as natural capital accounting and integrating biodiversity risk assessments into corporate strategy and governance.
UK Nature Minister Mary Creagh articulated the broader significance of the plenary, remarking, “Nature forms the foundation of our economy—from food security to clean air. Convening IPBES12 in the UK offers a momentous opportunity to translate global aspirations into concrete actions that arrest biodiversity loss and foster environmental stewardship both nationally and internationally.”
In addition to the groundbreaking business-focused report, IPBES12 will consider submissions from member states regarding future assessment topics that will shape the platform’s scientific agenda through 2030. These forward-looking discussions are instrumental in steering research priorities toward pressing global challenges such as climate-biodiversity interlinkages, ecosystem resilience, and sustainable land-use management.
The plenary’s opening ceremony, scheduled for the morning of February 3rd, will be webcast live, providing widespread access to the event’s launch. This transparency aims to amplify global engagement and foster a broader public understanding of biodiversity’s integral role in sustaining life on Earth. Viewers are encouraged to follow the proceedings via the #IPBES12 hashtag and through official IPBES social channels.
Subsequent to the plenary session, the afternoon of February 9th will witness the media launch of the IPBES Business & Biodiversity Report. This event promises an in-depth exploration of the assessment’s findings through a live webcast and an interactive press conference featuring the report’s co-chairs alongside IPBES leadership. Accredited media will have the unique opportunity to engage directly with the architects of the report during a dedicated 90-minute session.
Critically, the Business and Biodiversity Report arrives at a moment when the private sector is increasingly under scrutiny for its role in environmental degradation. The report provides a scientific foundation for integrating biodiversity considerations into mainstream financial and operational decision-making. It highlights emerging tools such as biodiversity footprinting, scenario analysis, and ecosystem service valuation, which collectively empower businesses to mitigate risks and seize opportunities linked to nature-positive investments.
IPBES, often likened to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) but focused on biodiversity, continues to deepen the scientific-policy nexus by delivering objective, policy-relevant assessments. Since its establishment in 2012, IPBES has galvanized efforts to elevate biodiversity science to the forefront of global policy discourse, equipping decision-makers with the analytical rigor necessary to tackle biodiversity loss and ecosystem degradation.
The implications of IPBES12 are far-reaching, offering actionable insights that transcend national boundaries and economic sectors. By anchoring biodiversity within the context of business operations and global governance frameworks, the plenary underscores a paradigm shift towards sustainable development that harmonizes economic growth with ecological integrity.
This session, empowered by cutting-edge scientific synthesis and bolstered by unprecedented international collaboration, marks a decisive moment in humanity’s endeavor to reconcile economic ambition with the imperative of conserving the natural world – a balance indispensable for the survival of all species, including our own.
Subject of Research: The intersection of global business practices with biodiversity conservation and ecosystem services, as elucidated in the IPBES Business and Biodiversity Assessment Report.
Article Title: Governments and Scientists Mobilize in Manchester for IPBES12: Launching a New Era in Business and Biodiversity Integration
News Publication Date: 30 January 2026
Web References:
– IPBES official website: http://www.ipbes.net
– IPBES12 Plenary details: https://www.ipbes.net/events/ipbes-12-plenary#about
– Business and Biodiversity Assessment Report accreditation: https://www.ipbes.net/bba-accreditation
References: Provided within the IPBES report and plenary documentation; further detailed citations to be made available upon report release.
Image Credits: Not specified in the original media release.
Keywords: Environmental policy, Science policy, Public policy, Government, Biodiversity conservation, Ecosystem services, Business sustainability, Natural capital accounting, Biodiversity risk assessment, International cooperation, Sustainable development, IPBES.
