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IPBES-12: Updates from the start of the Plenary Session

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The 12th session of the IPBES Plenary (IPBES-12) is taking place in Manchester on 3-8 February 2026, following the Stakeholder Day on 2 February. CIEEM has been following proceedings online and reports here on key developments so far.

Plenary meeting begins

The Plenary session convened on 3 February 2026, with representatives from 150 IPBES member governments meeting to discuss key agenda items, including approval of the Business and Biodiversity Assessment. This assessment examines the impacts and dependencies of business on biodiversity and provides guidance for nature-positive practices in the private sector.

A message from King Charles III

His Majesty King Charles III sent a message to the Plenary, delivered by the UK Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, emphasising the central importance of nature to our societies, economies and humanity. He highlighted the triple crisis of biodiversity loss, climate change and pollution, and stressed that the knowledge exists to reverse this crisis through science, Indigenous knowledge, citizen science, and strong partnerships with governments and the private sector.

The King specifically highlighted the Business and Biodiversity Assessment, expressing hope that it will guide concrete actions, including leveraging public and private sector finance to close the estimated $700 billion annual global biodiversity funding gap by 2030. He also noted the potential of high-integrity biodiversity credits, particularly when integrated with carbon credits, to promote inclusive business models, channel funds to nature stewards, and support sustainable development in nature-rich countries.

Key themes and early developments

Key themes emerging in the first days of the Plenary have included:

  • Strengthening the science-policy interface to ensure evidence informs decision-making at global and national levels
  • Promoting inclusive stakeholder engagement, including Indigenous and local knowledge
  • Encouraging business and finance action to support biodiversity recovery and sustainable development

The UK government, through Defra, UKRI and FCDO, is hosting and funding IPBES-12, emphasising the importance of aligning policy, science and business to address the biodiversity crisis.

IPBES-12 continues to provide a critical platform for advancing global action on biodiversity and ecosystem services. The approval of new assessments, such as the Business and Biodiversity report, will support governments, businesses, and practitioners in implementing strategies that are grounded in robust science.

Line-by-line scrutiny of the final report is likely to extend over the weekend, with the final report possibly published on Monday. CIEEM will continue to monitor IPBES-12 and keep members updated on key outcomes.

See all of our IPBES-12 coverage: