CETAF participated as an observer at the twelfth session of the Plenary of the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES-12), contributing expertise on taxonomic research and biodiversity data for policy and business decision-making.
IPBES-12 took place in Manchester from 3–8 February. This marked the first time that a Plenary session of the global biodiversity science-policy platform was hosted by the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. The meeting brought together delegations representing more than 150 IPBES member governments, alongside many of the world’s leading biodiversity scientists and experts, including CETAF.
Among the key items on the agenda was the consideration of the landmark IPBES Business and Biodiversity Assessment, a major report examining the links between economic activity and biodiversity.
CETAF participates as observer at IPBES-12
The release of the IPBES Business and Biodiversity Assessment, approved at the 12th IPBES Plenary (IPBES-12) in Manchester, marks an important milestone in how biodiversity is framed in economic and business decision-making. The assessment sends a clear signal: biodiversity loss is no longer only an environmental concern, but a systemic risk for economies, businesses, and long-term prosperity.
The CETAF Secretariat was represented at IPBES-12 as an observer organisation to the intergovernmental platform and as a critical stakeholder in the biodiversity knowledge landscape, witnessing first-hand the growing importance of the IPBES community as a global science-policy interface.
The Plenary highlighted the scale and diversity of the research effort underpinning IPBES assessments, bringing together experts from around the world to provide the evidence needed to inform policy, business strategies, and investment decisions related to biodiversity.
Business and Biodiversity Assessment highlights economic risks of biodiversity loss
A central message of the IPBES Business and Biodiversity Assessment is that economic activities are deeply dependent on nature, while also contributing significantly to biodiversity loss. As governments, companies, and financial actors are increasingly expected to assess nature-related risks and impacts, reliable scientific evidence becomes essential.
Discussions at IPBES-12 underscored the critical role researchers play in building this evidence base: from understanding species and ecosystems, to tracking change over time and assessing the effectiveness of interventions. These efforts are fundamental to ensuring that biodiversity considerations are grounded in reality rather than relying on assumptions.
Strengthening the role of taxonomic research and biodiversity data
For CETAF, the assessment strongly aligns with a core objective: strengthening the link between taxonomic research, biodiversity data, and decision-making in policy and the private sector. Taxonomic knowledge underpins our ability to understand what biodiversity is present, where it is changing, and how human activities affect it — all of which are prerequisites for credible biodiversity risk assessment, reporting, and action.
As biodiversity increasingly enters economic, financial, and corporate realms, the need to translate scientific knowledge into usable information is becoming more urgent. CETAF’s organisation of taxonomic institutions contributes essential expertise and data that can support evidence-based approaches to sustainable growth and nature-positive business practices.
Continuing engagement in global science–policy processes
The Business and Biodiversity Assessment reflects years of collaborative work by researchers worldwide, demonstrating the collective effort required to address biodiversity loss and support informed decision-making.
As this agenda continues to evolve, CETAF remains committed to engaging with international science–policy processes and to strengthening the role of taxonomic research in tackling the biodiversity crisis, for the benefit of nature, society, and the economy.