1. The EU Business and Biodiversity Platform
European Commission DG Environment
The EU
Business and Biodiversity Platform
Marta Kaczyńska, Biodiversity Unit, DG ENV 1

2. Content of presentation
EU Business and Biodiversity Initiative and its global context
Business and Biodiversity Platform
Agriculture sector

3. I. EU Business and Biodiversity Initiative
Building partnerships with business was already highlighted in the Commission’s Communication on Biodiversity (2006)
The «Lisbon Message» - The outcome of the Business and Biodiversity- High Level Conference, during the Portuguese Presidency of EU Council - called on action at EU level encouraged, among others, developing and strengthening partnerships between companies, governments at all levels, NGOs and academia.
Mid-term Report on the EU Biodiversity Action Plan (2008) - highlighted the need for better engagement of businesses in biodiversity conservation.
«Message from Athens» ("Biodiversity Protection - Beyond 2010: Priorities and options for future EU Policy" conference, Apr 2009) - engagement of business is crucial for shaping EU Biodiversity Policy, re-instated by the Environment Council

4. II. The EU Business and Biodiversity Platform (B@B)
Initiated by the European Commission
Unique facility where businesses can come together to share their experiences and best practices, learn from their peers, and voice their needs and concerns to the European Commission
Aims to strengthen the link between the business sector and biodiversity conservation, in particular in the following 6 priority sectors:
- Agriculture - Food supply - Forestry
- Non-energy extractive industry - Finance - Tourism

5. II. Objectives of the EU B@B Platform
Providing opportunities for dialogue between and among businesses and the European Commission;
Encouraging and supporting businesses in incorporating biodiversity conservation in their activity and ensuring sustainability;
Acknowledging best practices through the European Business Awards for the Environment;
Contributing to the work led by the European Commission on business engagement in biodiversity conservation. 5

6. First Year Project Activities
Setting up and maintaining the initiative official website
Creating a resource centre including key information per sector
Engagement and communications: brochure, newsletter, presenting the Platform in events and meetings
Organizing sectoral workshops
Promoting the implementation of identified best practices
Providing a help desk function
Developing an award system acknowledging outstanding contribution

7. Second Year - Foreseen Activities
Maintaining the communication process with Platform participants – Engaging with Stakeholders
Continuing promoting the Platform through the website, brochure, newsletter and presentations in events
Following up on the EU Post 2010 Biodiversity Strategy
Setting up a mini consultation process regarding the implementation of the strategy by businesses
Designing and running round tables based on sectors needs and requests
Assessing and acknowledging companies’ performance
Implementing the 'Business and Biodiversity' Award in a framework of the European Business Awards for the Envitonment
Benchmarking workshops - Developing mechanisms for monitoring and recording biodiversity benefits resulting from improving business activities (criteria)

8. III. Agriculture sector
The EU Platform has been working to benchmark best practices in each sector with regard to the conservation of biodiversity.
This publication is the outcome of the EU Platform sectoral workshops (September 2010).
The workshop aimed to present and discuss case studies, and to present and discuss benchmarking methodologies.
This publication includes examples of best-practice concerning the main risks, responsibilities and opportunities for companies in relation to nature and biodiversity conservation.
It is meant to provide companies with tools and methods, guidance and examples of already implemented best practices - to help them introduce biodiversity conservation into their strategies and operations.

9. III. Agriculture sector – B@B Platform participants
Ando Eelmaa Kaubad
De Waard Eetbaar Landschap
Geometron Ltd
Gian Luca Bagnara
Gutsverwaltung Hardegg
Sustainable Agriculture Initiative (SAI) Platform
Syngenta
The European Fertilizer Manufacturers Association
VLM (Vlaamse Landmaatschappij) 9

10. The EU B@B Platform website
More information: