The initiative has now launched an internet platform

Both, the economy and society benefit from biological diversity - in terms of providing food, preserving health, and catalyzing innovation. But nature suffers from an alarming worldwide loss of biodiversity, species, and ecosystems, which is endangering the livelihood of mankind on a global level. One of the key issues we need to is how to achieve the optimal combination of both using and protecting biodiversity.

The protection of natural resources for future generations can only be accomplished with the active support and involvement of the private sector.

A strong interest in engaging the private sector was signaled in May 2008, during the Ninth Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD). It was here the German Federal Ministry for Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety (BMU) launched The Business and Biodiverstiy Initiative, and commissioned GTZ to carry out its implementation.

The initiative has now launched an internet platform to both strengthen the network between its members and provide an overview of the initiative to the general public.

• Business and Biodiversity Initiative
  www.business-and-biodiversity.de