30 associations support the "Enterprise Biological Diversity 2020" platform
Germany disposes of a rich spectrum of business federations and nature conservancy organizations. They have to play a key role as regards business action for biodiversity. Against the background of the target year 2020 of the CBD Strategic Plan, and also in response to CBD decisions on the role of business, the Federal Ministry for the Environment initiated "Unternehmen Biologische Vielfalt 2020" ("Enterprise Biological Diversity 2020") in 2013. Creating this round table was an important step to expand a sustainable and structured dialogue with business.
"Enterprise Biological Diversity 2020", coordinated with the help of the 'Biodiversity in Good Company' Initiative, serves as a dialogue and action platform for business federations, nature conservation associations and government in order to encourage exchange, cooperation and tangible action in industry.
Officially launched during the 5th National Forum on Biodiversity in Berlin on 5 March 2013, the forum had 15 supporting organisations. Meanwhile the number has increased to 30. Important sectors have joined in the meantime, like for example recently the Federation of German Food and Drink Industries (BVE) or the Textile+Fashion Confederation. There are several working meetings plus one large conference annually.
The platform for action and dialogue aims to:
- Implement the German National Strategy on Biological Diversity by creating a long-term sustainable structure as an interface
- Complement existing activities, such as the 'Biodiversity in Good Company' Initiative, by taking a broader approach, i.e. to reach those not yet committed
- Focus on systematically involving business federations (cross-sectorial and sector-specific) and using the wealth of organizations for creating synergies
- Foster dialogue and take tangible action on the basis of voluntary commitment to strengthen the diversity of nature and landscapes in Germany through integration of economic, environmental and societal values.
Information about the supporters and activities is available in German via the website: <link http: biologischevielfalt.bfn.de ubi_2020.html _blank external-link-new-window externen link in neuem>biologischevielfalt.bfn.de/ubi_2020.html For any inquiries, please contact Dr. Katrin Reuter, katrin.reuter(at)business-and-biodiversity.de
