Key Business Takeaways from the IPBES Business and Biodiversity Assessment

Building on our earlier analysis of the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES) Business and Biodiversity Assessment, our recent webinar explored what the findings mean in practice for businesses and financial institutions. 

The assessment synthesises thousands of scientific studies and reflects consensus from more than 150 governments. It provides the most comprehensive evidence base to date on how businesses depend on and impact biodiversity and which actions can be taken. 

The discussion was facilitated by Grant Rudgley (Director, Nature Finance, The Biodiversity Consultancy) and featured insights from three of the assessment’s Coordinating Lead Authors: 

• Dr Laura Sonter – Director, Science & Policy, The Biodiversity Consultancy
• Dr Michal Kulak – Deputy Head of Sustainable Alpha Research, Robeco
• Dr Katie Leach – Head of Nature, Lloyds Banking Group 

To watch the webinar, please access this link: https://shorturl.at/EHkE6 

Below are five key takeaways from the discussion. 

1. Understanding impacts and dependencies remains a barrier 

A fundamental barrier to action remains a lack of understanding of how businesses depend on and impact nature. 

“One of the biggest barriers to business action is that many businesses still don’t fully understand their impacts and dependencies on nature and therefore don’t fully understand their nature-related risks.” – Laura Sonter 

Because many nature-related dependencies are indirect, often embedded deep within supply chains or poorly captured in existing models, they remain tricky to communicate clearly and therefore often not clearly integrated into strategic decision-making. 

Yet nature underpins supply chain resilience, asset values and regulatory stability. Strengthening internal understanding and elevating that understanding to senior leadership and board level is often the critical first step toward meaningful action.

2. Measurement tools exist — the challenge is using the right ones

From a measurement perspective, the challenge is not a lack of tools. A growing body of biodiversity metrics, approaches and data providers already exists. 

 The real challenge is knowing which measurement approaches are appropriate for different decisions.

“There is already more than enough available to get started with biodiversity measurement — the difficulty is choosing the right method for the right business purpose.” – Michal Kulak 

Different decisions require different data. Portfolio-level risk screening, operational site management and corporate strategy each require distinct measurement approaches. 

And, businesses should not allow imperfect data to delay action. 

“Measurement improves prioritisation and outcomes, but it doesn’t need to be perfect before businesses begin taking action.” – Laura Sonter 

3. Biodiversity reporting remains low but is growing rapidly

Currently, fewer than 1% of reporting companies disclose biodiversity risk or impact. However, the rate of change is striking. 

“Even though the absolute number is still small, the growth in reporting is very steep. It is much faster than we saw for climate 10–15 years ago.” – Michal Kulak

This signals a market in transition. Businesses that act early can shape standards and expectations rather than reacting to them later under regulatory or investor pressure. 

4. Investors increasingly expect decision-useful biodiversity information

Rather than isolated sustainability activities or CSR initiatives, investors increasingly expect material, decision-relevant information about nature-related risks. 

“It’s nice to know that a company organised a volunteer day to clean a pond, but as an investor, I’m much more interested in where key raw materials are sourced from, and whether biodiversity risks are being managed in the supply chain.” – Michal Kulak 

This shift reflects a broader transition in how nature is being integrated into financial decision-making, including capital allocation and risk management. 

“Organisations are moving beyond initial materiality assessments and starting to embed nature into decision-making, whether that’s in credit risk assessments or in the development of new financial products.” – Katie Leach 

5. The next step is demonstrating outcomes, and scaling action

Many companies are now setting biodiversity targets and making commitments. Far fewer are measuring the results of their actions and transparently sharing the outcomes. 

“We found very few examples of businesses that had taken action, evaluated the outcomes, and then made those outcomes public.” – Laura Sonter 

At the same time, businesses are not expected to act alone. Enabling conditions such as policy frameworks, financial incentives and collaboration with civil society are essential to scaling impact and contributing to positive outcomes at scale. 

“Businesses can be incredibly powerful catalysts for change. When they move, they can move at pace, but achieving transformative change will require businesses, governments, finance and civil society to move together.” – Katie Leach

 

So what’s next? 

The IPBES Business and Biodiversity Assessment provides one of the clearest scientific signals yet that biodiversity loss presents real risks to business, but also that meaningful action is already possible.  

For many organisations, the priority is therefore not more information but clarity on where to act next.

The Biodiversity Consultancy supports businesses and financial institutions to translate scientific insight into practical, defensible decisions. From identifying material impacts and dependencies to embedding biodiversity into governance, risk and capital allocation, we help organisations move from intention to measurable outcomes. 

If you would like to discuss the right next steps for your organisation, get in touch with our team. 

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To explore the broader context and foundational insights from the IPBES Business and Biodiversity Assessment, please read our articles on why the assessment matters for business and how it sets a pathway for aligning business and nature. 

• Why the IPBES Business and Biodiversity Assessment matters for business — and what to expect next
• The IPBES assessment — setting a pathway for aligning business and nature

Category: Insight