The relationship between economic activity and biodiversity is central in the global agenda. The Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES) is dedicating major attention to a critical issue: the impact and dependence of business on biodiversity.
This topic takes center stage at IPBES-12, held in Manchester from 2 to 8 February 2026. The member States’ representatives will work toward the approval of the Business and Biodiversity Assessment and the Summary for Policymakers, which examine how businesses both rely on nature and contribute to biodiversity loss, and how it can be better understood and measured.
The Business & Biodiversity toolkit
While IPBES sets the global evidence base, Biodiversa+ recently released a series of three guides on Business and Biodiversity, focusing on how biodiversity data are already being used and shared in practice in Europe, and how this can be strengthened to support real-world action.
- Mapping of the Business and Biodiversity Landscape for European Research & Innovation: a comprehensive overview of the key policies, actors, and tools shaping the business and biodiversity space.
- Guide to using public biodiversity data in the private sector: how to find and use publicly available biodiversity data to assess risks, inform strategy, and prepare for reporting.
- Guide on best practices sharing biodiversity data for private companies: how to share companies’ biodiversity data safely and effectively, enhancing transparency and contributing to science.
The IPBES-12 Summit offers the perfect opportunity for interested stakeholders to have more information about these resources.
Biodiversa+ activities at IPBES-12
Biodiversa+ is actively engaged in the IPBES-12 process, including co-organising, with RESPIN, a session during the Stakeholder Day (2 February), addressing two key topics:
- a panel discussion on how stakeholders can take up IPBES findings, showcasing examples of uptake at different scales;
- an interactive session on behaviour change communication and on how to better engage participants in workshops, to enhance the uptake of IPBES assessments.
Biodiversa+ is also representing the ECA Network as one of its main coordinators during the Marketplace (Stakeholders Networks stall), showcasing the work on capacity building, with the goal of empowering European stakeholders to participate in IPBES processes.
