Manchester is hosting around 1,000 scientists and policymakers from nearly 150 countries as the twelfth IPBES plenary opens, supported by the UN and hosted by the UK Government. Running through to 8 February, the week focuses on how business can help halt nature loss. (gov.uk)

Environment Secretary Emma Reynolds opened proceedings and conveyed a message from the King highlighting the interlinked crises of biodiversity loss, climate change and pollution, with a clear prompt that the knowledge and tools to reverse course already exist. The UK’s pitch this week is practical multilateralism with business at the table. (gov.uk)

IPBES-often described as the IPCC for biodiversity-provides rigorous assessments to guide decision‑makers. Its 2019 Global Assessment warned that about one million species face extinction without transformative change, a stark signal for economies built on healthy ecosystems. (ict.ipbes.net)

The science underpins the urgency. ZSL’s Living Planet Index estimates an average 73% decline in monitored wildlife populations between 1970 and 2020, with the steepest falls in freshwater species-trends that translate into supply‑chain risk for food, fashion, finance and beyond. (zsl.org)

This year’s agenda centres on approving a Business & Biodiversity Assessment designed to help companies understand their dependencies and impacts on nature and choose credible actions. If adopted, it would give boards, investors and regulators a shared evidence base for nature‑positive planning. (gov.uk)

IPBES materials indicate the assessment spans methods to measure corporate dependencies and impacts, options for action by firms, and an enabling environment shaped by governments and finance-pointing to faster convergence across standards and lower costs for robust disclosure. (ict.ipbes.net)

The policy backdrop is the Kunming‑Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework. Target 15 asks countries to ensure large and transnational companies regularly monitor, assess and disclose their nature‑related risks, dependencies and impacts-a direction reinforced in the UK’s Green Finance Strategy. (cbd.int)

Markets now have a playbook. TNFD’s final recommendations, launched at Climate Week NYC in September 2023, outline a LEAP‑based approach for identifying, assessing and disclosing nature‑related issues-complementing climate reporting and aligning with the GBF. UK stakeholders expect this to carry much of the load for Target 15‑aligned reporting. (tnfd.global)

Corporate target‑setting is moving too. The Science Based Targets Network launched the first methods for nature in 2023; by early 2026, ten companies have validated targets and more than fifty targets have been independently validated, with pilots expanding across land, freshwater and ocean. (sciencebasedtargetsnetwork.org)

Manchester stands to gain from the convening power. Officials estimate a £3.1 million uplift to the local visitor economy, strengthening the city’s position in nature‑positive research and enterprise networks. (gov.uk)

UK representation includes Nature Minister Mary Creagh and Special Representative for Nature Ruth Davis, both engaging delegates on mobilising investment and increasing transparency from business this year. Their roles signal a diplomatic push to turn standards into mainstream practice. (gov.uk)

UK research leaders echo the opportunity. NERC’s Professor Louise Heathwaite stresses that managing nature impacts builds supply‑chain resilience and unlocks growth, while JNCC’s Gemma Harper frames IPBES‑12 as a chance to embed robust evidence so decisions convert into tangible action for governments and companies alike. (gov.uk)

The test by 8 February is simple: translate consensus science into boardroom decisions that restore ecosystems and secure resilient value chains. If the assessment is approved this week, its summary for policymakers should give UK firms-and their investors-a clear reference to act with pace and confidence. (onet.ipbes.net)