|
Dear BBOP Learning Network,
We would like to welcome you to read the inaugural Learning Network newsletter of the Business and Biodiversity Offsets Program (BBOP)! It has been an exciting few months for the BBOP, as we have stimulated some new and interesting conversations through various roundtable events, and had the honor to meet with the President of Madagascar to discuss to biodiversity offsets in the context of sustainable development.
We hope you find our newsletter to engage you more thoroughly in biodiversity offsets and look forward to your feedback! -The BBOP Team
_________________________________
1. BBOP Meets with President of Madagascar: President Ravalomana expresses interest in biodiversity offsets
Members of the Business and Biodiversity Offsets Program (BBOP) were invited to meet with Marc Ravalomanana, President of Madagascar, during a recent visit to the island nation.
During the visit, President Ravalomanana, a businessman, expressed his interest in collaborating with businesses as a mechanism for integrating sustainable development and conservation. Madagascar , an area rich in biodiversity, is a prime location for a conservation strategy that integrates sustainable business practices and environmental conservation through biodiversity offsets.
For the full article, click here.
2. Learning Network Meeting in Uganda
June 16, 2006 - BBOP and Gyelloba, a Dutch NGO focused on sustainable tourism, convened a Learning Network meeting with policymakers in Uganda . The meeting discussed the conservation and livelihood objectives of biodiversity offsets, the business case for engaging companies, and potential opportunities for Uganda.
In attendance were individuals from the National Environment Management Authority of Uganda, the National Forestry Authority of Uganda, Kew Royal Botanic Gardens , Forest Trends, Gyelloba, the Institute for War and Peace Reporting, the Uganda Wildlife Agency, and specialists in the fields of law and ornithology.
3. Learning Network Meeting in Madagascar
June 21, 2006 - BBOP Secretariat members used the stage of Conservation International's 2006 Global Symposium event in Madagascar to hold a roundtable discussion on biodiversity offsets, targeting NGOs, government officials, foundations and members of the private sector with a message of biodiversity offsets as a tool for conservation.
BBOP used the platform to introduce the concept of biodiversity offsets, discuss the risks and opportunities associated with offsets, and link offsets with regional sustainable development planning in Africa.
For the full story and more information about issues raised during the discussion, click here.
4. Biodiversity Roundtable in France
July 6, 2006 - BBOP and the French Ministry of Environment and Sustainable Development hosted a one day meeting which focused on the political construction of an international legal framework for biodiversity offsets, evaluated the appropriateness and risk management of the financial sector, and used case studies to illustrate the business case for companies to undertake voluntary offsets. More details can be found by clicking here. |
The Business and Biodiversity Offset Program (BBOP) is a new partnership between companies, governments and conservation experts to explore biodiversity offsets. 
2nd Learning Network Meeting
