A new report published recently by the Intergovernmental Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES) finds that biodiversity loss is no longer just an environmental issue but a systemic economic risk, affecting financial stability, supply chains and human wellbeing.
The report shows that all businesses depend on nature’s contributions—such as raw materials, water regulation, flood protection and cultural services—yet most do not bear the real costs of their negative impacts or receive financial rewards for positive ones. This disconnect is accelerating biodiversity decline while exposing businesses to growing operational and financial risks. Business-as-usual incentives, including environmentally harmful subsidies and short-term profit-driven models, are identified as major drivers of nature’s decline, even though cumulative impacts risk crossing ecological tipping points that could undermine long-term profitability.
UNESCO is particularly proud to have contributed to this assessment by supporting the inclusion of Indigenous and local knowledge. UNESCO warmly welcomes this new IPBES assessment as an important contribution to advancing our shared understanding and collective action for biodiversity.
Khaled El-EnanyUNESCO Director-General
The report concludes that change is possible but requires better measurement, data and incentives. Less than 1% of publicly reporting companies currently disclose biodiversity impacts, and financial institutions cite lack of reliable data, models and scenarios as key barriers to action.
The Intergovernmental Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES) is an independent intergovernmental body established by Member States in 2012, aimed at providing objective assessments of biodiversity and ecosystem services. UNESCO plays a crucial role in supporting IPBES, particularly through its Local and Indigenous Knowledge Systems (LINKS) Programme, which focuses on the integration of Indigenous and local knowledge into biodiversity assessments. This collaboration enhances the understanding of biodiversity loss and its implications for human well-being and sustainable development.