Oxford Martin School and LSE Global School of Sustainability

This panel examines how biodiversity science can inform decisions in business, finance and government. It assesses what is known about biodiversity status and trends in marine and terrestrial systems, which dimensions matter for decisions, and how to navigate financial-disclosure frameworks, science-based targets, national indicators and biodiversity credits. The discussion considers emerging methods including genomics, AI-based monitoring, functional traits, multiple knowledge systems and global indices. It asks how these approaches can support ecological recovery without reinforcing extractive measurement or governance, and how metrics can respect Indigenous rights, knowledge and decision-making. The panel also recognises that better measurement is only one component of changing business impacts on nature.

David Obura draws on IPBES and other assessments to examine interconnected disruptions affecting biodiversity, climate, economies, societies and governance. The lecture asks how underlying drivers and potential tipping points relate to the international order and what constructive transformations could emerge from present crises. It considers differentiated responsibilities across countries and sectors, pathways that recognise ecosystems as foundations of human wellbeing, and ways to balance nature, economies and social outcomes. Existing multilateral institutions offer starting points, but changes in conservation priorities, finance and governance are needed to move towards safer and more equitable conditions.