12-13 November 2007, Lisbon, Portugal

On 12 and 13 November 2007 the EU high-level Conference ‘Business and Biodiversity’ took place. The Conference was organized by the Portuguese EU Presidency in office and the European Commission, with support from Countdown 2010. ECNC was also involved in the Conference preparations.

The Conference was attended by 450 participants, 160 of whom were business representatives, and resulted in support for the development if an EU Business and Biodiversity initiative, with due attention for the relevance of the contribution of SMEs to biodiversity conservation and wise use.

In his keynote closing speech to the Conference, ECNC President Sir Brian Unwin stressed the importance of concrete commitments and follow-up actions. He said that a network of European ‘business leaders for biodiversity’ should be established, which should actively support the implementation of the Business and Biodiversity Initiative. He referred to a number of successful developments of finance and biodiversity initiatives in which ECNC is involved, together with RSPB and others. Sir Brian offered the support of ECNC and of the European Task Force on Banking, Business and Biodiversity, of which he is Chairman.

At the Conference, the ECNC delegation discussed options of business and biodiversity cooperation with Mr M. Brooks, Vice-President of the European Investment Bank, the CBD Secretariat and various other organizations.