GYBN UK at IPBES-12

From 2nd - 8th February, GYBN UK delegates were in Manchester attending the 12th Plenary Session of the Intergovernmental Science Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES). Read this blog to see what we got up to!

What is IPBES?

The Intergovernmental Science Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services is a global body bringing together hundreds of scientists, governments and policy makers, Indigenous Peoples, and other stakeholders to assess the state of nature. We have posted a buildup to IPBES12 on our social media, and covered it daily on our social media so make sure to have a look on our social media and knowledge hub for more details of what IPBES entails!

What is the focus of the plenary?

The focus on this plenary was on the Businesses and Biodiversity Assessment (BBA). It lays the foundations for stronger action from other sectors for biodiversity, with a strong emphasis that businesses depend on and impact nature.

At the plenary, the chair and parties (countries) go line by line through a summarised document of the assessment called the summary for policy makers (SPM). They will raise their thoughts on specific words or phrases if they disagree with it or feel it could be strengthened. 

The BBA was released on the 9th February and can be found here, with an explainer on our social media and knowledge hub.

What we have been doing during the week

The GYBN UK delegation attended all week, not only just to improve, understand, and participate in IPBES, but to also share the process through our IPBES social media campaign. Throughout the week, we have been examining the wording of the assessment, and identifying where it can be strengthened. We have been working with the UK government to identify where Key Messages and Background Messages can be reinforced in the role of business and biodiversity. Our coordinator even successfully influenced the inclusion of new text and an improved graphic!

Tracking the negotiations: 

• Like with COP’s, we have been busy tracking the negotiations. Tracking is where we type what parties (countries) and stakeholders are saying to then identify alignments and conflicts to youth priorities. This allows youth to provide an intervention (e.g. present a statement) in the negotiations to influence decisions.

Global Youth Biodiversity Network Opening Statement: 

• Our co-ordinator, Abi Gardner gave the GYBN opening statement regarding the ambitions of the BBA. The statement expressed that the draft SPM  is too weak in reflecting IPBES’s own framework; especially around rights, justice, and the responsibilities of business, and urges member states to strengthen it so it fully acknowledges business accountability, supports transformative change, and genuinely advances a just, sustainable future in harmony with nature.

Stakeholder Day

GYBN UK also attended Stakeholder Day. Stakeholder Day is organised by and for stakeholders, on the day prior to the start of the IPBES Plenary session (this year, it was on the 2nd February). Here, individuals and organisations get the latest information about the work of IPBES, discuss specific aspects of the Plenary session’s agenda, and network. We met with lots of organisations and connected with youth from around the world here too.

The UK Government Parallel Programme

The UK Government together with partners also held a programme of parallel events in the run up to and during IPBES12. One of our Committee members, Taras Bains, spent the Wednesday at the joint UK Government + Aviva 'Business and Nature Day' learning all about and talking to businesses, financial institutions and those organisations working with them who are already starting to consider nature in their operational and decision-making systems, or providing the tools to be able to do this. What was clear is that despite the good start from some, there is still much more to do in persuading others to follow and executives to recognise the systemic risk and importance nature has to business. 

GYBN UK Hosted Youth Parallel Events

GYBN UK had the joy of hosting two youth‑focused parallel events that helped create a real sense of community among young delegates. Early in the week, we kicked things off with an informal meet‑up. It gave youth a chance to connect and discuss their plans for the week before the plenary kicked in.

To round off the week, we hosted a larger gathering at the University of Manchester Students’ Union. This second event created space to deepen the connections formed throughout the plenary and reflect on both new and shared experiences. We also had the wider public engage with youth delegates and their perspectives. Together, the two events helped build a stronger, more connected youth presence at IPBES 12.

My thoughts on the week

Personally, it has been a very intriguing week. This was my first IPBES and initially, I had a lot to learn and understand. It was interesting to see how IPBES & the UN Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), engage with each other. Following the negotiations also meant that I could develop a deeper understanding on the text, and what each party/stakeholder wants to see in it. The week highlighted that all businesses depend on and impact biodiversity, but they can also be positive agents of change for this area.

It was also amazing to see so many youth delegates attending. After meeting with everyone and hearing their stories, I was very inspired. Overall, it was a great week of learning, networking, and influencing!

We hope you enjoyed reading this blog, and understand more of what the GYBN UK delegation got up to during the week! Stay up to date with the rest of our IPBES12 campaign by following us on Instagram @GYBNUK