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In this context, the planned adoption of a new and ambitious post-2020 framework for the Convention on
Biological Diversity at the Conference of the Parties (COP 15) in Kunming, China in 2021 remains critical to
ensure a robust and ambitious outcome. To this end, a Biological Diversity Summit entitled “Urgent Action
on Biodiversity for Sustainable Development” will be held on 22-23 September 2020. The objective of this
Summit is to highlight the urgency of action in support of a global post-2020 biodiversity framework that
will contribute to the 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda and put the global community on the road
to achieving the 2050 Vision for Biodiversity. The theme of the International Day for Biological Diversity
(22 May) will be “Our solutions are in nature” to highlight the hope, solidarity and importance of working
together at all levels to build a future of life in harmony with nature.
The need to involve business in achieving the objectives of the Convention was recognised by the
Conference of the Parties at its eighth meeting in Brazil in 2006. Decisions were taken to establish the
conditions that facilitate private sector engagement and encourage enterprises to “adopt practices and
strategies that contribute to the achievement of the aims and objectives of the Convention and the
objectives of Aichi Biodiversity Targets”. Decision X/21 encouraged companies to examine, share and adopt
best practices available within their relevant industries, including with small and medium-sized enterprises,
and invited companies to align investment, management and procurement policies with the conservation
and sustainable use of biodiversity and ecosystem services. Businesses need to recognise their impact and
their dependence on biological diversity and ecosystem services.
1.3 Programs and green product certifications
If you are interested promoting a greater “integration” between companies and biodiversity the Global
Partnership for Business and Biodiversity is a useful tool and network. Currently composed of 21 national
and regional initiatives, all working for a greater commercial commitment on issues related to biodiversity.
The Global Partnership is, therefore, a network linking the various initiatives so that information and good
practices can be shared and cooperation on joint projects with the aim of integrating biodiversity issues in
companies. The aim of these efforts, taken together with those of partner organisations, is to increase the
number of companies with a significantly reduced negative impact on biodiversity (or even a net positive
impact) and to mobilise and enable them to act as positive influencers on other entities across the
economy . Compliance with environmental standards and certification systems. Companies are therefore
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the main players in this landscape and are responsible for their impact on biodiversity and ecosystem
services. But, to act responsibly, they need information about where these risks and opportunities related
to biodiversity impacts lie. The IUCN and the WBCSD have joined forc
es to develop a handbook that describes the various existing knowl
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edge products and explains how they can help companies assess,
manage and report on their impact and dependencies on biodiversity
and achieve compliance with environmental standards and certifica
tion systems.
Source: http://www.ciessevi.net/bandi/Europa-2014-2020/Life-programma-ambiente-e-clima
1 https://www.cbd.int/business/National_Regional_BB_Initiatives.shtml
2 https://portals.iucn.org/library/node/4336. For other useful tools you can visit https://www.cbd.int/business/resour-
ces/tools.shtml\