New IPBES Report Underscores the Role of Business in Biodiversity

We are pleased to share that the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES) has just released a landmark assessment on business and biodiversity, approved by member governments during IPBES’s 12th plenary session in Manchester, United Kingdom. This Business and Biodiversity Assessment highlights the deep interdependence between economic activity and the natural world, and its findings have important implications for transforming food systems in ways that support biodiversity, resilience and healthy livelihoods.

The report reveals that global economic growth has come at a profound cost to nature, contributing to accelerating biodiversity loss that now poses systemic risks to economies, financial stability and human wellbeing. It emphasizes that every business depends on and impacts biodiversity and nature’s contributions to people through material inputs, ecosystem regulation and cultural values, even in sectors that may not appear nature-based.

Importantly for food systems actors and our biodiversity partnership community, the assessment stresses that transformative change is both possible and necessary. It brings together evidence and practical approaches to help businesses, financial institutions, governments and civil society measure and manage impacts and dependencies on biodiversity. It identifies ways to strengthen the enabling environment for nature-positive action, from improved metrics and credible strategies to diverse knowledge engagement including science, Indigenous Peoples and local communities.

This IPBES assessment provides both a scientific foundation and practical entry points for action by actors operating across different parts of food systems.

We encourage the community to explore the report and reflect on how its insights can inform partnerships and actions that link business transformation with biodiversity stewardship and inclusive food systems transformation.

About IPBES
Often described as the “IPCC for biodiversity”, IPBES is an independent intergovernmental body comprising more than 150 member Governments. Established by Governments in 2012, it provides policymakers with objective scientific assessments about the state of knowledge regarding the planet’s biodiversity, ecosystems and the contributions they make to people, as well as the tools and methods to protect and sustainably use these vital natural assets. For more information about IPBES and its assessments visit www.ipbes.net

Additionally of interest might be the Biodiversa+ Business and Biodiversity toolkit that has been released. This toolkit consists of three guides that address business and biodiversity challenge from complementary perspectives. These guides are all intended to help organisations mobilise biodiversity data for nature-positive action and ensure a strong link between science, policy, and business practice.

1. The "Mapping of the Business and Biodiversity Landscape for European Research & Innovation" explores the fast-evolving business and biodiversity landscape, identifying key actors, initiatives, and policy frameworks.
2. The "Guide to using public biodiversity data in the private sector" examines how companies actually use biodiversity and nature-related data in practice, highlighting both progress and persistent gaps.
3. The "Guide on best practices sharing biodiversity data for private companies" provides practical guidance for companies willing to share biodiversity data responsibly and efficiently, aligned with existing standards and platforms.

Want an easy entry-point into the insights of the new IPBES report? 
Sharing a few available resources here for your convenience

• Nature Insight - Speed dating with the future | Biodiversity: The Hidden Enabler of Business Success | English
• IPBES Business & Biodiversity report Media Launch | Multiple Languages