Greater Manchester universities unite to drive nature recovery at IPBES-12 event

As an independent intergovernmental body, IPBES aims to strengthen the science-policy interface for biodiversity and ecosystem services and is a leading voice in this area.

To mark this year’s meeting being held in Manchester, The University of Manchester, the University of Salford and Manchester Metropolitan University will present a special evening event at the People’s History Museum on Thursday, 5 February supported by the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (DEFRA).

The event will bring together academics, businesses and community organisations, as well as policymakers and regional leaders, to explore opportunities for collaboration to boost nature recovery across Greater Manchester and beyond. Focusing on Business and Biodiversity, the event will also highlight the crucial role industry, research and policy must play together in this endeavour.

The joint project aligns with the refreshed civic mission announced last year, which saw all Greater Manchester universities reaffirm their collective commitment to improving lives across the city-region as part of the Greater Manchester Civic University Agreement (CUA).

Featuring talks from all three universities and a panel Q&A session, senior representatives are expected to take part from the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS), Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) and DEFRA – with more to be announced.

Professor Colette Fagan, Vice-President for Research at The University of Manchester said: “In line with the new strategy for 2035, the University is driven by its foundation as a values-led and socially responsible institution, which works with civic, industry and community partners to co-create solutions.

“We always welcome the opportunity to collaborate with our neighbouring universities, especially when solutions will help to directly benefit our local community. This event will emphasise just how important it is for industry leaders, researchers and policymakers to work together to safeguard nature across Greater Manchester.”

Professor Simon Green, PVC Research and Knowledge Exchange at the University of Salford said: “Sustainability is at the core of what we do at Salford. Our goal is to innovate towards a more equitable, just, healthy, creative and prosperous society. This event will be a great chance to put those ambitions into practice and share knowledge and expertise across the region and country.”

Dr Hannah Mossman, Reader in Restoration Ecology at Manchester Metropolitan University said: “Partnerships with business, NGOs and governments are at the core of our research. This event is a great opportunity to celebrate how research in partnership leads to real changes for biodiversity, nature and people.”

Tickets for the evening event, ‘From evidence to action: Mobilising Greater Manchester’s science, business and policy partnerships for nature’ are available via Eventbrite.