Cross-continental exchange: GNF at conference on biodiversity and sustainability in Thailand
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News

Cross-continental exchange: GNF at conference on biodiversity and sustainability in Thailand

At the Business and Sustainability Forum in Thailand in June 2024, Stefan Hörmann, Managing Director of the Global Nature Fund (GNF), presented an exciting overview of the diverse activities within the "Enterprise Biodiversity" (UBi) project and at European level.

How can companies protect biodiversity sustainably?
This question has occupied the Thai government agency Biodiversity-Based Economy Development Office (BEDO) and the GNF for many years. One of their most important achievements is the Biodiversity Check for companies, which has now met with a great response not only in Europe but also in Thailand.

Thailand, which is the 20th most biodiverse country in the world, provided the ideal setting for the Business & Biodiversity Business and Sustainability Forum. Marion Hammerl, President of the GNF, and Stefan Hörmann were invited as speakers and  spoke to more than one hundred representatives representatives from companies, authorities and associations on the latest developments in the field of business and biodiversity at international and EU level.

The Thai government and business community are keeping a close eye on the EU's position on nature conservation. In particular, the EUDR (EU directive on deforestation-free supply chains) has a direct impact on Thai companies: From the end of the year, raw materials such as coffee, palm oil or natural rubber may only be imported if their production has not caused deforestation. Many participants were therefore surprised at the delays in the adoption of the EU Restoration Law, which is in turn intended to regulate the restoration of nature in the EU.

There was a consensus that small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) need to be more involved and supported in order to use biodiversity sustainably. BEDO and GNF plan to expand their cooperation with Thai business associations and develop sector-specific checks, such as those developed by GNF in the UBi project, as well as a Biodiversity Check light for SMEs.

In addition to the Biodiversity Check, BEDO also promotes products that are produced in a biodiversity-friendly manner by local cooperatives. For larger companies, BEDO will strengthen the recording of biodiversity using biodiversity footprints and natural capital accounting in future and support them in this. There will also be an intensive exchange with the GNF in this area.

Overall, the forum provided an inspiring platform for exchange and cooperation between the continents in order to jointly protect biodiversity and shape a sustainable future.
 
Company Biological Biodiversity (Unternehmen Biologische Vielfalt - UBi):
https://www.unternehmen-biologische-vielfalt.de/
 
BEDO Thailand:
https://www.facebook.com/BedoThailand/
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Events

 

NRW.BANK.seminar: Biodiversity in the company

Know legal requirements (CSRD, CSDDD, EUDR) & implement measures

November 11 2024, 9.00 - 13.00 o'clock

 

Link to registration

 

 

 

 

European Conference "Biodiversity in Food Supply Chains"

"A look into the future: opportunities and challenges of textile-to-textile recycling"

November 12 to 13, 2024

 

Link to registration

 

 

 

 

 

Global Nature Fund against extremism 

Our democracy is in danger

Uncertainties and threats around us are growing and the political climate in Germany and Europe has changed dramatically. In particular, the current developments in Germany over the past few weeks are very frightening. 

 

GNF is taking a stand

The Global Nature Fund (GNF) stands for democracy, freedom of opinion and fundamental human rights for all people and is committed to a liberal, cosmopolitan society. We categorically reject any form of extremist ideology as a pretext for hatred, exclusion, intolerance, racism, misanthropy or violence. In Germany and Europe, right-wing extremist groups are increasingly and deliberately stirring up fears - fear of foreigners, change or poverty - and inciting people and social groups against each other. We must take action against this and oppose this attack on democracy and basic social values with determination and solidarity. The primary goal of GNF - the protection of the environment and nature, sustainable development and the preservation of the basis of human life - also requires clear political demands and positions. The current complex crises, such as wars, climate and environmental problems and other natural disasters, can only be solved in a liberal and democratic social environment.

 

Act now

Fundamental values of our society are also under threat in Germany. Various local, state and European elections are due in 2024. This must be a call or all of us now. All people striving for peace, democracy, justice, tolerance, self-determination and human rights must act now and use all democratic instruments. Against racism, anti-Semitism and any other form of group-based misanthropy! For us, and future generations. (GNF, 02.02.2024)