The 2025 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) Report underscores a pressing global reality: progress toward achieving the 2030 Agenda remains critically off track. With only approximately 17–18% of SDG targets on track, the majority are experiencing slow progress, stagnation, or regression. This widening gap is particularly evident in the Planet pillar, which encompasses key goals related to climate action (SDG 13), life below water (SDG 14), life on land (SDG 15), clean water and sanitation (SDG 6), and responsible consumption and production (SDG 12).
Global environmental indicators reveal alarming trends. Climate change impacts are intensifying, water systems are under increasing stress, land degradation continues at an unprecedented rate, and biodiversity loss is accelerating across ecosystems. Despite efforts such as the expansion of protected areas, global conservation targets remain insufficiently met, and critical ecosystems continue to decline. These interconnected challenges threaten not only environmental sustainability but also economic stability, food security, and human well-being.
The urgency to address these issues is heightened by the limited timeframe remaining before 2030. As such, there is a growing need for coordinated, science-driven, and innovation-oriented approaches to reverse current trends and accelerate progress, particularly in biodiversity conservation and ecosystem restoration.
In response to these challenges, Batangas State University (BatStateU), as the National Engineering University, through the Center for Sustainable Development and the offices under the Office of the Vice President for Research and Extension Services, leads initiatives that harness research, innovation, and data-driven solutions in advancing the Sustainable Development Goals.
Through research and innovation, institutions, such as BatStateU, can contribute to the development of biodiversity monitoring systems and environmental data platforms, the advancement of climate-resilient and nature-based solutions, the design of sustainable land and water management strategies, and the integration of emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence, geospatial analytics, and data science in environmental governance.
However, while significant research outputs exist, a major gap persists in the translation of knowledge into scalable, actionable, and policy-relevant interventions. This highlights the need for platforms that can bridge academia, policy, and practice.
An international conference focused on biodiversity and sustainability provides such a platform by facilitating knowledge exchange and dissemination of best practices, promoting interdisciplinary and cross-sector collaboration, strengthening global and regional partnerships, and aligning research outputs with policy priorities and implementation frameworks.
In this context, convening stakeholders through a dedicated conference is both timely and necessary to accelerate the achievement of biodiversity-related SDGs. With this, ICSRI 2026 of BatStateU can contribute to accelerating progress toward SDGs, particularly those related to environmental sustainability.
The conference positions BatStateU as a leader in sustainability, research, and innovation, strengthening its role as the National Engineering University and its commitment to advancing the Sustainable Development Goals. It also serves as a platform to accelerate action on key issues such as biodiversity, climate resilience, and ecosystem management by bringing together diverse stakeholders to collaborate and scale practical solutions.
It also helps bridge research, policy, and practice by turning scientific knowledge into actionable strategies, technologies, and governance approaches. The conference builds capacity by providing participants with the knowledge, tools, and networks needed to implement sustainable solutions. In addition, it strengthens global and regional partnerships, supporting continued collaboration in biodiversity conservation, environmental monitoring, and sustainable development beyond the conference.
Ultimately, ICSRI 2026 responds directly to the urgent call of the 2025 UN SDG Report by providing a strategic and collaborative platform to accelerate action for the Planet pillar, with a particular focus on biodiversity. It underscores the critical role of research and innovation in shaping resilient ecosystems, sustainable communities, and enduring educational institutions in the face of global environmental challenges.
ICSRI 2026 is proposed to be conducted on September 23-25, 2026. This will be held at Batangas State University – Pablo Borbon Campus.
The theme “Linking Institutions for Biodiversity Conservation Actions Toward a Sustainable Future” underscores the critical role of collaboration among higher education institutions, government agencies, industries, and communities in addressing biodiversity loss. In an era marked by accelerating environmental degradation, no single institution can respond effectively in isolation.
LICAS 2026 highlights the need to strengthen institutional linkages to foster coordinated research, innovation, and policy-driven actions that protect and restore ecosystems. By bringing together diverse stakeholders, the conference aims to catalyze knowledge exchange, promote evidence-based solutions, and inspire collective action toward conserving biodiversity.
Ultimately, the conference envisions institutions as key drivers of sustainability—working together to safeguard life on land and below water, while contributing to global efforts toward a resilient and sustainable future.
Frontiers in Biodiversity Science and Ecosystem Assessment, Nature-Based Solutions for Ecosystem Restoration and Resilience, Advances in Conservation Biology and Species Protection, Blue and Green Ecosystems: Marine, Coastal, and Terrestrial Integration
Digital Transformation in Biodiversity Monitoring (AI, GIS, Remote Sensing), Biotechnology and Conservation Innovation, Data-Driven Decision-Making for Sustainability, Smart and Sustainable Campuses as Living Laboratories
Climate Change Impacts on Biodiversity and Ecosystems, Ecosystem-Based Adaptation and Mitigation Strategies, Carbon Sequestration through Nature-Based Solutions, Resilience Pathways for Vulnerable Ecosystems and Communities
Indigenous and Local Knowledge in Conservation Practice, Community-Based Biodiversity Management and Stewardship, Equity, Inclusion, and Environmental Justice in Sustainability, Behavioral Change and Public Engagement for Biodiversity
Transformative Education for Biodiversity and Sustainability, Sustainability Literacy and Competency Development, Higher Education Institutions as Catalysts for Biodiversity Action, Innovative Pedagogies and MOOCs for Sustainability
Biodiversity Finance and Green Investment Mechanisms, Circular Economy and Resource Efficiency, Sustainable Livelihoods and Eco-Entrepreneurship, Corporate Sustainability and ESG Integration
Metrics, Indicators, and Reporting for Biodiversity and SDGs, Impact Assessment of Conservation Programs, Data Systems, Dashboards, and Institutional Reporting, Transparency, Accountability, and Evidence-Based Policy
ICSRI 2026 extends a warm invitation to:
a.
Faculty researchers, professors, and academics from all disciplines and HEI types.
e.
Government officials from education departments and science & technology agencies.
b.
Graduate and postgraduate students (master’s and doctoral levels) with active research.
f.
Industry partners, corporate R&D professionals, and innovation ecosystem builders.
c.
University presidents, vice presidents, deans, and academic administrators.
g.
NGO and civil society leaders engaged in education advocacy or community development.
D.
Research directors, Research Management officers, faculty extensionists, and institutional quality assurance professionals.
h.
International scholars and development partners are seeking HEI collaboration
Below is the expected number of presenters and participants:
