1. The EU Business and Biodiversity Initiative
Co-ordination Group for Biodiversity & Nature
10 April 2008

2. MS and COM action on Business and Biodiversity
2006 BAP action to build stronger partnerships with business, including the financial sector (re: CBD COP decision VIII/17)
Several MS have national actions (e.g. DE, FR, NL, PT, UK etc.)
2006-7: COM-funded contract on piloting Biodiversity Technical Assistance Units in 3 new MS to work with pro-biodiversity businesses, mainly SMEs
2007: Consultations leading to November Conference in Lisbon under Portuguese Presidency: forum to share experience and expertise on how best to engage business
-> „MESSAGE FROM LISBON”

4. EU initiative on B@B Build on the foundation of the Lisbon Conference
Complement ongoing actions at international and national level
Build on EU-level added value (Natura 2000, community policies, catalysis of national action)
Give recognition to business for sustainable entrepreneurial activity for biodiversity
Support medium-long term partnerships
Set up a technical platform / facility to assist the initiative >
technical support facility

5. Role of technical facility: to work with interested business sectors and other stakeholders to (e.g.)
Promote awareness of biodiversity protection
Bench-mark best practices
Provide guidance (e.g. Natura 2000, eco-tourism, labelling, HNV etc.)
Develop monitoring, recording mechanisms
Develop an award system to recognise outstanding contribution

6. 2008 & onwards
Set up technical facility: call for tender for a service contract (operational before end 2008)
Continue dialogue with a number of priority sectors and build synergies with other BAP activities, e.g. BAP workplan action #8 (estuaries and ports) and #9 (non-energy extractive industries), the financial sector, tourism, agriculture
Maximize value of results of contract on Biodiversity Technical Assistance Units to input to
Support /engage international events (CBD COP9, Bonn), IUCN WCC (Barcelona)

7. EU Biodiversity Policy & partnerships: The Message from Lisbon:
Useful links
EU Biodiversity Policy & partnerships:
ec.europa.eu/environment/nature/partnerships/index_en.htm
The Message from Lisbon:
BTAU project: