New coalitions for biodiversity: Approaches and targets

In consultation with the task force, the various Dutch ministries will establish platforms in which relevant actors in civil society will set joint priorities and further chart the innovative path to be followed. If possible, platforms will be established with participants from the relevant regions. The experiences with the ‘Biodiversity and natural resources' transition and the ‘Energy' task force will be used in setting up and facilitating these platforms, which represent a continuation of existing activities and form the link between implementation and cooperation.

Within the EU, the Netherlands committed itself to the objective of halting the loss of biodiversity in the European Union by 2010 - a deadline that is rapidly approaching. The efforts of other parties will be required if that objective is to be achieved. The government of the Netherlands will therefore encourage local government and non-governmental organisations to endorse this Countdown 2010 target and to draw up local or regional biodiversity action plans with specific measures. To help them, a ‘Biodiversity Works Manual!' filled with inspiring examples will be published.

A number of international Business-and-Biodiversity initiatives have been or are in the process of being launched. For example, there is the dialogue ‘Business and the 2010 Biodiversity Challenge', launched on the basis of the Biodiversity Convention, the European Biodiversity and Business Initiative and proposals to establish a European platform for Business and Biodiversity. The Netherlands will use this European platform in relation to its own initiatives, which include ‘BioBizz', a programme of measures designed to help companies in the Netherlands (multinationals as well as the SMEs) integrate biodiversity into their business operations. In this programme, the government of the Netherlands will work with bodies such as the employers' organisation VNO-NCW, pioneers in the business community and CSR Netherlands, a centre of expertise in corporate social responsibility. It will also investigate with which companies or sectors voluntary, but measurable, agreements can be made on the preservation and sustainable use of biodiversity and natural resources. The government feels it is important to produce instruments that enjoy international support. It therefore intends to ensure that its instruments are adequately bedded down in an international context. One such instrument is a benchmark of the biodiversity policy of companies that have an indirect (chain) impact on biodiversity .

The government will carry out projects and activities in public-private partnerships (PPPs) wherever possible. The partnerships will be based on the partners' common interest in achieving the objectives. Public-private partnerships are not straitjacketed by regulations and financial mechanisms, but can enable the partners to pursue their common interests through joint action where appropriate. These partnerships, which are often international in nature, call for a new approach from the government. Lessons learned in the ‘Biodiversity and natural resources' transition will be put into practice at this time.