IPBES-12

IPBES-12 is being funded by the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (Defra), UK Research & Innovation (UKRI), and the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO).

Pathways to IPBES: The Next Generation of Biodiversity Experts (2 February)

Monday 2 February 2026, 18:00–21:00, Manchester 

Hosted by the UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology (UKCEH), this intimate event will bring together IPBES experts, Fellows, UK early career researchers (ECRs), and others interested in engaging more closely with the IPBES platform. The evening will provide a welcoming space for networking, knowledge exchange, and mentorship. 

The event aims to shed light on participation in IPBES by offering first-hand insights into working within the platform, guidance on pathways to engagement, and reflections on how involvement can support career development and build international policy and negotiation skills. 

Attendees will hear from UKCEH IPBES experts Paula Harrison (Co-Chair, Nexus Assessment) and Helen Roy (Co-Chair, Invasive Alien Species Assessment), alongside UNEP-WCMC’s Matthew Jones (Co-Chair, Business and Biodiversity Assessment), and IPBES Fellows James Correia and Niak Koh. Speakers will share their personal experiences of IPBES and discuss how engagement with the platform has influenced their professional journeys, inspiring the next generation of biodiversity experts. 

Please note this is an invite-only event. 

Business Impact: Driving biodiversity recovery through business action (2 February)

Monday 2 February 2026, 18:00–20:00, Alliance Manchester Business School

RSPB and the Alliance Manchester Business school are hosting an inspiring evening immediately following IPBES-12 Stakeholder Day, where business leaders, sustainability professionals, and key stakeholders will translate scientific evidence into concrete action for nature. 

The event will provide opportunities to:

• Hear directly from an IPBES author on what the science tells us about business and nature.
• Learn from leading businesses who are pioneering biodiversity commitments.
• Connect with CEOs, sustainability directors, investors, and conservation leaders.
• Share challenges and discover practical solutions with peers.
• Make bold commitments that will drive real change.

Open to corporate executives, sustainability directors, finance and ESG leads, supply chain leaders, academics, policy representatives, and anyone committed to making nature-positive business the norm.

Register for this event through Eventbrite.

England’s Natural Capital Powerhouse: Northern Opportunity Showcase (3 February)

Tuesday 3 February 2026, 10:00–14:15, or 13:00–17:00

Join us for a hands-on and informative day exploring the nature investment opportunity provided by the North of England.

Hosted by Nature North and Greater Manchester Combined Authority, the day offers visits to Wigan Greenheart natural flood management scheme, Smithills Estate woodland creation and peatland restoration project and lunch at Castlefield Viaduct, which combines railway heritage and nature restoration in the heart of Manchester.

While visiting the projects and over lunch, you’ll hear about:

• the investment opportunity provided by the North of England's vast natural resources and thousands of nature recovery projects
• why the North sees nature recovery as a key element of regional economic growth
• how Nature North – a pioneering collaboration of more than 50 nature recovery organisations, agencies and partnerships – can connect you with credible, high-quality projects that meet your goals.

Throughout the day there will be time to talk with Nature North staff about your needs around nature recovery and to explore collaboration opportunities.

Who should attend: senior business leaders and decision makers interested in nature investment opportunities.

Please note: Suitable outdoor clothing and footwear will be required.

Choose one session.

Session 1:

• Morning visit and lunch: Wigan Greenheart and Castlefield Viaduct, Manchester
• 10:00, depart from Manchester Piccadilly Train Station
• Site visit: Wigan Greenheart
• Return to Castlefield Viaduct for lunch and a chance to hear more from Nature North
• Stay for lunch and depart at 14:15.

Session 2:

• Lunch and afternoon visit: Castlefield Viaduct, Manchester and Smithills, Bolton
• Join us from 13:00 Castlefield Viaduct for lunch and a chance to hear more from Nature North
• Site Visit: Smithills Estate, Bolton
• Return to Manchester Piccadilly Train Station by 17:00.

This is a closed door event so please express your interest by completing this short form.

Biodiversity Collage: Collaborative Workshop on Nature & Our Future (3 February)

Tuesday 3 February 2026, University of Manchester (Samuel Alexander building)

Join a 3-hour, interactive workshop open to everyone in Manchester and the surrounding area – whether you work in business, study, are part of an NGO, or are simply curious about nature and sustainability.

Through a collaborative, game-based format, participants will work in small groups to:

• Discover what biodiversity is and why it matters.
• Explore how human activities affect ecosystems.
• Understand how our economies, businesses and well-being depend on nature.
• Discuss solutions and nature-positive actions at individual and collective levels.

Register for this event via Eventbrite.

Business and Finance Day – A Catalyst for Nature-Positive Action (4 February)

Wednesday 4 February 2026, Manchester

On 4 February 2026, as part of the IPBES 12 Parallel Programme, Aviva in collaboration with DEFRA will host the Business and Finance Day in Manchester.

This event is designed as a catalytic moment for the private sector, showcasing ambition, actions, and collaboration for nature. It brings together leaders from business, finance, science, and policy and aims to accelerate actions to support nature-positive outcomes.

Key Objectives

• Showcase private sector leadership and the importance of collaboration: Participants will share how they are embedding nature into decision-making and engaging across private sector, public sector, academia, and civil society groups to support action.
• Highlight opportunities and challenges to unlock private finance for nature: Discussions will focus on overcoming barriers and capitalising on opportunities to scale finance towards support a transition to a nature-positive economy.
• Encourage focus on priority areas of work relevant for the business and finance community that could create an IPBES-12 ‘legacy’: Encourage a forward programme of work that intersects science, policy, business and finance, such as nature positive sectoral pathways, nature-related scenario analysis, and strengthening the evidence base around the valuation of nature.

Event Highlights

• The Case for Action: The Business Case for Nature
• From Floods to Flows: Managing Water Risk and Opportunity
• From Barriers to Breakthroughs - Opportunities to Support and Scale Private Sector Action on Nature
• Northern Roots: Opportunities for Nature Restoration across the North of England
• Enabling Scale: Creating an Enabling Environment Help Business and Finance Further Innovate with Integrity
• Science for Prosperity: Nature, Health, and People
• Collaborating beyond Manchester: Turning IPBES-12 Momentum into Advancing Business and Finance action

Please note this is a closed-door event but you can express your interest to attend.

Biodiversity Collage: Facilitator Training (4 February)

Wednesday 4 February 2026, 18:00–21:00, x+why 100 Embankment, Manchester

Become a certified Biodiversity Collage facilitator and join our global community of over 5,000 facilitators.

Participants must have completed a workshop first (in-person or online).

By facilitating workshops, you help spread knowledge about biodiversity, its risks, and solutions, empowering others to take informed action. You’ll receive a full set of cards and practical guidance to confidently run sessions in your organisation or community.

Register for this event via Open Collective.

Evidence to Action: Mobilising Science, Business & Policy for Nature (5 February)

Thursday 5 February 2026: In-person

To mark the occasion of IPBES-12 being hosted in Manchester, the Manchester Metropolitan University, The University of Manchester, and The University of Salford, with support from Defra, are hosting a special evening event at the People’s History Museum.

This year’s theme, Business and Biodiversity, explores how industry, research, and policy can work together to safeguard nature. Join regional leaders, academics, businesses, community organizations, and policymakers for an inspiring evening.

To register for this event, please visit the ticketing website.

Business & Biodiversity Working Dialogues (5 February)

Thursday 5 February 2026, 14.00 to 16.00, in-person

This event, led by UKBBF, NatureAlpha, GFI and JNCC, will bring together representatives from different groups to work collectively to take forward the pending outcomes of the IPBES Business & Biodiversity Assessment.

The event will:

• Provide an overview of the key outcomes from the week so far.
• Discuss and agree the potential scope and core focus areas for the Working Dialogues.
• Discuss and agree the specific thematic areas for actions.
• Discuss and identify how the IPBES Business and Biodiversity Assessment may support or feed into existing UK initiatives and planned activities, such as the EIP, NBSAP and Nature Positive Pathways.

The purpose of the Working Dialogues is to:

• Take the key messages from the IPBES Business and Biodiversity Assessment and the Business and Finance Day and identify potential opportunities for collective action.
• Mobilize appropriate resources to support the plan.
• Agree individuals/organisations to lead the Working Dialogue

This event is being held in-person, by invitation only.

Spaces are limited (capacity: 50), so please register your interest in attending.

Representation: Government, Government Agencies, Businesses, Academia, NGO organisations.

Bridging Knowledge for Inclusive Nature Action: Strengthening ILK research collaboration and engagement (date to be confirmed)

Postponed - for further details please contact GCBC@defra.gov.uk

This event will explore how Indigenous and Local Knowledge (ILK) can shape global research agendas and multilateral evidence assessments. Hosted by the Global Centre on Biodiversity for Climate and UNESCO, this 90-minute session will bring IPLC representatives, researchers, and partners together to share their experiences and co-create strategies for meaningful research engagement.

IPBES-12 Science Seminars (January to March)

January to March 2026: Online and in-person

A series of seminars focused on the science of IPBES and the implications of the Business and Biodiversity Assessment are being facilitated by the University of Oxford and the London School of Economics. 

• Thursday 22 January, 6.30pm, at the London School of Economics’ Old Theatre, this pre-IPBES seminar will be entitled 'Nature Capital, Growth and Development'. Natural Capital, Growth, and Development. This event has been held.
• Wednesday 28 January, 5:00pm, at the Oxford Martin School Lecture Theatre. 'Biodiversity, ecosystem services and sustainability: is it time for a reset?', with Chair of IPBES Dr David Obura. This event will be in-person and online.  Registration details are available from the Oxford Martin School events webpage.
• Friday 30 January, 4:15pm, Main Lecture Theatre, School of Geography and the Environment, University of Oxford. 'How can scientific insights inspire transformative change for biodiversity and nature conservation?', with speaker Dr Yves Zinngrebe, from the Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research (UFZ). This event will be in-person and online. Registration details are available from the Oxford Nature Network events webpage. 
• Tuesday 10 February, 5.00pm, at the Oxford Martin School Lecture Theatre. Professor of Biodiversity and Founding Director of the Nature-based Solutions Initiative, Nat Seddon will chair a panel discussion on, 'Measuring what matters: biodiversity metrics for business and finance'. This event will be held in-person and online. Registration details are available from the Oxford Martin School events webpage.
• Thursday 19 March, 5.00pm, at the Saïd Business School Large Lecture Theatre in Oxford, Charles Godfray CBE FRS will chair, joined by Dean of Saïd Business School, Mette Morsing, for a second panel reviewing the implications of the Business and Biodiversity Assessment.
• Tuesday 24 March, 6.30pm, at the London School of Economics’ Old Theatre, this seminar will be entitled Economics versus Policy and the Future of Global Climate and Nature Action.

Further registration details will be shared soon.

UK Businesses at IPBES Plenary-12: Webinar series (UK Business & Biodiversity Forum) (February)

Tuesday 3 February and Tuesday 24 February 2026, Online

The UK Business and Biodiversity Forum (UKBBF) will attend Stakeholder Day and the Plenary as accredited observers, and will be hosting webinars prior to and following the publication of the iPBES Business and Biodiversity (B&B) Assessment, for the benefit of businesses and other stakeholders. These webinars are being led by UKBBF in partnership with JNCC, GFI and NatureAlpha, as well as UKBBF partners ICC-United Kingdom. 

• Tuesday 3 February, 16:00: this pre-IPBES webinar will discuss what can be expected from the IPBES B&B Assessment, as well as outcomes from the Stakeholder Day. 
• Tuesday 24 February (rearranged from 17 February), 16:00: this post-IPBES webinar will discuss the key outcomes and potential implications for businesses of the Business and Biodiversity (B&B) Assessment, as well as the role of the UKBBF. UNEP-WCMC have been invited to provide an overview of the IPBES B&B assessment.

Further information on the sessions is available on the events page on the UK Business and Biodiversity Forum website. Registration for both events is via Eventbrite. 

These are open sessions but obviously targeting UK businesses. Please share as appropriate.

Nature Alpha-hosted IPBES-12 Post-Plenary Business and Finance Summit (4 March)

Wednesday 4 March 2026: In-person

To leverage the momentum of IPBES-12 and the Business and Biodiversity Assessment, and ensure its legacy, a high-level post-plenary event and programme will:

• Translate the Assessment’s findings into practical guidance for financial institutions and corporates;
• Strengthen partnerships between business, government, and academia; and
• Position the UK as a global leader in nature-related finance and science-based decision-making.

Natural History Museum of London: The Business of Biodiversity Event (10 March)

Tuesday 10 March 2026: In-person

An evening of discussion and networking while finding out how nature data is blossoming to aid business decisions globally. The event will feature a panel on industry and policy experts plus exclusive access to Museum scientists, alongside the chance to view the Museum’s Fixing Our Broken Planet exhibition.

Comment Central & British Ecological Society Spotlight Event. Financing Nature’s Future: The UK’s Path to Scaling Biodiversity Investment (11 March)

Wednesday 11 March 2026, In-person.

8:30am arrival for refreshments and continental breakfast served, panel discussion begins at 9am followed by a Q&A. Networking 10:00–10:30am

Chair: John Higginson, Editor-in-Chief, Comment Central & Founder of Higginson Strategy

Panel: Professor Mel Austin (President of British Ecological Society), Toby Perkins MP (Chair of EAC Committee), Simon Opher MP (Net Zero APPG Chair), Nick Molho (Head of Sustainability Advocacy for Aviva)

Location: The Library, Old Queen Street Café, 6 Old Queen St, Westminster, London SW1H 9HP

With public funding for nature under sustained pressure, and with the UK committed to ambitious international biodiversity targets, attracting credible and ecologically robust private finance has never been more important.

This event will bring together policymakers, financial institutions, environmental organisations and business leaders to discuss how the UK can strengthen its emerging nature markets – ensuring they are scientifically credible, investable, and capable of delivering real biodiversity gains.

The BES is also set to launch its new science based ecological principles for nature markets at the event, developed to ensure that new financial mechanisms deliver genuine outcomes for nature.

This is an invite only event. Please register your interest by emailing charlotte@higginsonstrategy.com.

Nature Action Dialogues 2026 – Countdown to 2030: Aligning Ambition, Scaling Integrated Action (12 and 13 May)

12–13 May 2026

UNEP-WCMC are hosting the Nature Action Dialogues in Cambridge in May 2026. This dynamic two-day event brings together leaders from business, finance and conservation to explore innovative strategies for tackling nature loss in the private sector. Attendees will have the opportunity to exchange best practices and collaborate on accelerating private-sector action, including acting on the outcomes of the IPBES Business and Biodiversity Assessment.

To find out more and register, please visit the event website.

Join an IPBES Network

You can join the UK IPBES stakeholder network to receive updates and notifications from the UK IPBES team.

There are many other regional and stakeholder networks that may also be of interest, for example the Europe and Central Asia Network of organisations engaging in IPBES, the Open-Ended Network of IPBES Stakeholders, and the International Indigenous Forum on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services.

Become an IPBES expert

The IPBES secretariat regularly issues calls for nominations of experts to participate in their assessments. For further information visit How to become an IPBES expert.

Register as an observer

Any organisation qualified in matters relating to IPBES can apply to register as an observer and nominate delegates to attend the Plenary. Any organisations wishing to do so can find further information in Notification EM/2025/31.

Check out our IPBES-12 Diary

Find out about recently held Parallel Programme events in our IPBES-12 Diary.