ECNC

 

The overall objective of this project is to accumulate knowledge on how biodiversity can be mobilized to increase sustainable agricultural production, to provide a platform for exchange of knowledge and practical experiences between farmers, policymakers and scientists to enable fast and effective implementation of best practices, and to promote sustainable agriculture in the 27 Member States of the EU, plus Norway and Switzerland.

The main results of the project in 2009 were:
• stakeholder groups were contacted at the European and national levels, as were other possible intermediaries who contributed to the development of the organizational model;
• the ELN-FAB website was developed and launched (http://www.eln-fab.eu);
• a European register of agrobiodiversity projects was developed and placed on the website;
• project communication material (logo and brochure) was prepared;
• the 2nd ELN-FAB European seminar was organized, bringing together representatives of the various target groups from several countries to collect and exchange experience. The seminar was organized by ECNC, and held in Frick, Switzerland in September 2009. The seminar focused on the theme ‘How can ELN-FAB contribute to increased attention to agrobiodiversity in the EU’s Common Agricultural Policy and other relevant European policies?’

Funding: In 2009 funding was provided by the Netherlands Ministry of Housing, Spatial Planning and the Environment (VROM).
Partners: DIVERSITAS agroBIODIVERSITY International Project Office (AB-IPO), Wageningen University, the Netherlands.
More details: http://www.ecnc.org/programmes/business-and-biodiversity-ongoing-projects?action=detail&id=84
http://www.eln-fab.eu

 

ECNC, together with the Agricultural Economics Research Institute (LEI) in the Netherlands and the Center for Agricultural Landscape and Land Use Research (ZALF) in Germany, commenced work on the second phase of the Scenar project in 2008.

The Scenar 2020-II study refined and improved the identification of major future trends and driving factors – and the perspectives and challenges resulting from them – provided by the initial Scenar 2020 study (December 2006) on the future of European agriculture and the rural world. The study compared how the agricultural sector might evolve under different pathways. The study provided a literature review, to establish context and outline the current situation. It also provided prospective results of new policies, such as the Renewable Energy Directive and other possible trends of the Common Agricultural Policy.

This follow-up study will provide substantial analytical input into the debate on the future of the Common Agricultural Policy.

ECNC coordinated the project and edited the final report, which is available online at http://ec.europa.eu/agriculture/analysis/external/scenar2020ii/index_en.htm.

The project was completed in December 2009.

Funding: European Commission, Directorate-General for Agriculture and Rural Development.
Partners: Agricultural Economics Research Institute (LEI; the Netherlands); Center for Agricultural Landscape and Land Use Research (ZALF; Germany).
More details: http://www.ecnc.org/programmes/business-and-biodiversity-completed-projects?action=detail&id=71
http://ec.europa.eu/agriculture/analysis/external/scenar2020ii/index_en.htm
Photo: © European Union, 2009.

 

In January 2009 ECNC, together with Nyenrode Business University and IUCN National Committee of the Netherlands, started a new project: ‘Biodiversity Finance Workstream’, the main element of which was the organization of a biodiversity finance conference.

ECNC co-organized the conference, which was held on 11 and 12 November 2009, in Beurs van Berlage, Amsterdam. It was attended by over 90 representatives from the financial sector, government, IGOs and NGOs.

During the conference there was intensive debate on opportunities and mechanisms for investments in biodiversity/ecosystem services, motivating investors to invest, optimal parameters and characteristics of future investment funds and the need for an enabling environment. The project team received very good feedback from the participants and suggestions for future follow-up.

ECNC gave a presentation on ECNC’s involvement and experience in biodiversity finance initiatives in Europe, informed participants about the upcoming EU Business and Biodiversity Platform and asked participants for their cooperation in the Platform.

Of particular value during the preparation phase and the conference was the active involvement of major financial sector representatives. The project Steering Group was led by Rob Lake, Head of Sustainability of APG Pension Fund; therefore during the lead-up to the conference there was continuous interaction with the major target group. The participants also included representatives of the European Investment Bank, Rabobank, ING Bank, FMO, Credit Suisse, EUROSIF, Shell, Global Nature Fund, and Club of Rome.

Funding: Netherlands Ministry of Housing, Spatial Planning and the Environment; Department for International Development, UK; Federal Office for the Environment, Switzerland.
Partners: Nyenrode Business University (lead partner); IUCN National Committee of the Netherlands.
More details: http://www.ecnc.org/programmes/business-and-biodiversity-ongoing-projects?action=detail&id=89

 

The project aims to promote the business case for biodiversity in Europe by mainstreaming biodiversity concerns in the business operations of selected companies and disseminating biodiversity conservation knowledge to selected Swiss companies. The project strives to achieve increased commitments of companies to biodiversity conservation, which will be demonstrated to the broad range of stakeholders as well as reflected in the companies’ internal and external reporting and environmental policies.

During 2009, substantial progress was reached with Nestlé. Activities included training on biodiversity/ecosystem services for Nestlé Europe environmental managers, and a biodiversity audit, leading to pilot implementation of the Biodiversity Benchmark at Nestlé Waters Viladrau factory. Discussions on biodiversity awareness and activities were also held with Syngenta, COOP and Triple E.

The project was carried out in close coordination with IUCN RofE. The progress achieved led to the award of the follow-up project by the Swiss Federal Office for the Environment, allowing activities to continue into 2010.

Funding: Swiss Federal Office for the Environment (FOEN).
More details: http://www.ecnc.org/programmes/business-and-biodiversity-ongoing-projects?action=detail&id=73

 

In November 2009, ECNC started work on the European Business and Biodiversity Platform. The Platform aims to implement the 2007 Message from Lisbon, which calls for development of the EU business and biodiversity initiative, with involvement of the private sector. Six priority sectors are addressed: agriculture, food supply industry, forestry, tourism, extractive industries and finance. In view of its experience, ECNC is leading the sectoral work on the agriculture and finance sectors.

Funding: European Commission, DG Environment.
Partners: IUCN RofE (project leader); PricewaterhouseCoopers (France); European Landowners Organization; Blue4You, Belgium.
More details: http://www.ecnc.org/programmes/business-and-biodiversity-ongoing-projects?action=detail&id=90
http://ec.europa.eu/environment/biodiversity/business/index_en.html