UK business leaders, senior government officials, scientists and conservation experts are coming together in Edinburgh today (15 July 2026) to take collective action on biodiversity loss – one of the most significant strategic risks facing businesses today.
Hosted by JNCC, the UK Business and Biodiversity Forum (UKBBF) and NatureScot, Biodiversity + Business Live will focus on translating global insight into tangible, strategic action for business and examine how nature-positive leadership can create long-term value and resilience, inform strategic decision-making, enable collaboration at scale, and drive credible business action.
Dr Gemma Harper OBE, Chief Executive of JNCC said: “Nature underpins our economy, our businesses and our communities, yet the evidence is clear that the natural systems we depend on are under increasing pressure. Biodiversity loss is not just an environmental challenge – it is a strategic business risk.
“But there is also an opportunity. Businesses that act early, use evidence and embed nature into decision-making will be better placed to manage risk, build resilience and create long-term value. By working together, we can help restore nature, strengthen economic resilience and build a nature-positive future for the UK.”
Biodiversity loss is no longer solely an environmental concern. Mounting regulatory pressure, shifting market expectations and increasing stakeholder scrutiny mean that businesses which fail to address nature loss face growing costs to their competitiveness and long-term resilience.
The event builds on the UK Government’s recent National Security Assessment on Global Biodiversity Loss and the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES) Business and Biodiversity Assessment.
Furthering collective leadership across sectors is essential – no single organisation can solve the biodiversity crisis alone. The event represents the UK’s leadership on this internationally, particularly ahead of the 17th meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD COP17) which is to take place in Armenia in October this year.
Paul Harrison, Chair of UKBBF said: “Biodiversity + Business Live brings together the people who need to be in the same room: business leaders, government, scientists and conservation organisations. The IPBES Business and Biodiversity Assessment has given us the clearest picture yet of what nature loss means for business strategy, supply chains and long-term value creation. This event is about turning that global insight into practical action for UK businesses.”
Colin Galbraith, NatureScot’s chair, said: “The loss of nature is one of the most serious threats to our economy and yet its recovery is one of our greatest opportunities. Thriving nature will help businesses flourish. We are finding with gatherings like Biodiversity + Business Live that businesses are developing and sharing commercial solutions to drive nature recovery. As we work to grow nature investment in Scotland, we are encouraged by the enthusiasm and commitment of our partners and businesses across the country to restore nature and support a shift to a wellbeing economy that can benefit everyone.”
