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Launching in June, the updated IBAT PS6 & ESS6 Report delivers a more granular approach to biodiversity screening. Aligned with the 2019 revision of IFC Performance Standard 6 (PS6) Guidance Note 6 and the World Bank Environmental and Social Standard 6 (ESS6), the report provides users with deeper insights to help identify and assess biodiversity-related risks with greater confidence.
The report supports early-stage, project-level due diligence by identifying potential triggers across the five critical habitat criteria defined under PS6. Using the most up-to-date global biodiversity datasets, it enables users to prioritise further assessment and better manage financial and reputational risks.
Key Enhancements and New Features
All existing functionality is retained, with several key enhancements introduced:
• Additional analysis layer for early identification of Critical Habitat likelihood: Developed by UNEP-WCMC, this analysis draws on 22 biodiversity datasets translated into 54 distinct triggers, aligned with the five PS6 Critical Habitat criteria.
• Customisable buffer selection: Users can select a buffer distance between 1 km and 50 km around a site boundary, supporting more flexible screening that reflects a project’s area of influence.
• Dedicated restricted-range species output: A new output is provided for restricted-range species, as defined in the 2019 IFC PS6 Guidance Note 6. The Red List GIS download will also be updated to include restricted-range status based on PS6 thresholds.
• Expanded site-level metrics: Enhanced outputs for Key Biodiversity Areas (KBAs) now include information on specific trigger species and ecosystems.
• Enhanced visual outputs: The downloadable PDF report now includes individual maps for each dataset trigger, improving transparency and supporting internal documentation.
Additional updates include the consolidation of all data outputs into a single Excel file, and the inclusion of the Natural and Modified Habitat layer developed by UNEP-WCMC (2020).
What this means for organisations and financial institutions?
The report provides a screening output that categorises the likelihood of biodiversity features meeting critical habitat thresholds. These outputs offer a stronger evidence base for understanding site-level biodiversity risks and help inform more detailed assessments, including the determination of potential critical habitat.
For financial institutions adopting the Equator Principle, Principle 3: Applicable Environmental and Social Standards, references the IFC Performance Standards as guidance to assess a project’s risk. Similarly, multilateral development banks, including the Asian Development Bank (ADB)’s Environmental and Social Frameworks and the Development Bank of Latin America and the Caribbean (CAF)’s Environmental and Social Management Framework for CAF's operations (ESMF), have developed environmental and social frameworks based on the IFC Performance Standards.
IFC PS6 is also widely referenced as good practice in biodiversity risk assessment, including in the OECD Guide on due diligence in mineral supply chain, and the ICMM Good Practice Guidance for Mining and Biodiversity.
It is important to note that while the PS6 & ESS6 Report is a powerful tool for initial risk screening and scoping, it is designed to inform - not replace - project-specific ecological surveys or expert judgement.
Report Accessibility
For subscription users, the number of PS6 & ESS6 reports included remains unchanged.
For Pay-As-You-Go (PAYG) users, the price of the PS6 & ESS6 Report will increase from USD 750 to USD 1,250 upon launch, reflecting the expanded scope, additional datasets, and enhanced analytical outputs.
These updates further strengthen IBAT’s support for biodiversity risk screening, enabling organisations to align more closely with international standards and make more informed decisions at early project stages.
If you’d like to learn more or have any questions, please contact the IBAT team at ibat@ibat-alliance.org, we’d love to hear from you.
