The world’s leading expert body on nature is coming to the UK – a key chance to drive evidence-led action.
IPBES is often described as the “IPCC for nature”. Just as the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change delivers authoritative scientific assessments on the climate, IPBES does the same for biodiversity and ecosystems.
The Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES) is an independent body established in 2012, and has 150 member governments. Its role is simple but critical. IPBES helps:
Bring together the world’s leading scientists
Review and assess the best available evidence on nature and the services it provides
Present decision-makers with reliable, policy-relevant knowledge
Help governments and other stakeholders to take action
IPBES connects science, policy and practice, helping the world understand what is happening to biodiversity and what can be done to change course. It brings together all types of knowledge, including indigenous knowledge, to help us to learn from experiences of communities across the globe.
When is it?
The twelfth meeting of IPBES (known as IPBES-12) will take place from 2–8 February 2026.
Where is it?
It’s taking place at the Manchester Central Convention Complex in the UK.
Each year IPBES has a different theme. This year focuses on the Business and Biodiversity Assessment. This is a comprehensive report that has taken three years to compile, and it’s the first major global scientific assessment specifically examining how businesses depend on and impact nature.
This is a big opportunity for business and biodiversity. For the first time, businesses will have a globally-recognised, scientifically rigorous framework for understanding their relationship with nature and a clear pathway for how those assessments can drive meaningful action.
It’s also a big opportunity for the UK, as the host country for the first time. With governments and leading scientist from across the world flocking to Manchester, it’s a chance for our government to show what steps they’re taking to lead the way, turning evidence into action.
Get in touch
If you’d like to know more about how your business can interact with IPBES and the RSPB, please get in touch: Corporate.Partnerships@rspb.org.uk.
RSPB will be actively participating throughout IPBES-12 to amplify nature-positive solutions and champion the science that can drive real change.
By attending, we aim to:
Bring science from the field to the global stage: sharing evidence from our conservation work, research and partnerships to help guide how governments and businesses understand and respond to biodiversity loss.
Influence policy at national and international levels: making sure the assessment helps to deliver stronger environmental regulations, action plans and long-term commitments that protect habitats and species.
Support businesses on their journey to nature-positive action: helping companies understand how to measure their impacts, manage risks and embed nature in strategy, reporting and investment decisions. This first global Business and Biodiversity Assessment will be a turning point for how the private sector interacts with nature.
Collaborate and build new partnerships: IPBES brings together policymakers, scientists, NGOs, business leaders and financial institutions. It’s an opportunity to develop new alliances that can unlock real change on the ground.
Join us for an inspiring evening where business leaders, sustainability professionals, and key stakeholders will translate scientific evidence into concrete action for nature.
When: Monday 2 February, 6pm
Who should attend: Corporate executives, sustainability directors, finance and ESG leads, supply chain leaders, academics, policy representatives, and anyone committed to making nature-positive business the norm
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