IFB Leaders and researchers were active at the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services Plenary (IPBES 12) in Manchester last week. It is the first time that the Plenary has been held in the UK.
Flagship Leader, Professor Richard Field, was a panellist for Science for Business Action: Connecting Evidence to Practice
during Stakeholder Day on Monday. Dr Jimena Alvarez also presented a poster during what was a very well-attended and truly international day.
On Tuesday evening the Programme showcased its progress and outputs at the UK Government's Science Showcase Evening Reception at the very grand Whitworth Hall. The event opened with speeches by Minister of Nature, Mary Creagh CBE MP, and Chief Scientific Adviser, Professor Dame Angela McLean. With 900 guests, the IFB stand was a hive of discussion, with encouraging enthusiasm shown for our 3-day workshop in March that will consider the future research agenda for nature finance.
On Wednesday, the stand moved across the City to the Aviva- and DEFRA-hosted Business and Finance Day at which IFB Flagship Leader, Professor Nicola Ranger, was a panellist for Collaborating beyond Manchester: Turning IPBES12 Momentum into Advancing Business and Finance Action. The day concluded with an address by His Excellency Hambardzum Matevosyan, Minister of Environment of the Republic of Armenia, UN CBD COP 17 President Designate.
The picture shows the IFB Team at the Aviva event (from L to R) Richard Field, Dougal Fleming, Nicola Ranger, Robert Flavin, Nick Isaac, Axel Rossberg, Paula Harrison, Paul Brereton, and Jimena Alvarez. Sadly, Jo Chamberlain and Fergus Lyon had to rush for their trains shortly before the photographer appeared.