European Business and Nature Summit 2023

The biodiversity crisis poses a significant threat to global development and compels us to take action to support the protection and conservation of ecosystems.

At the conclusion of COP15 in 2022, the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework was adopted by 196 countries, marking it as a historic agreement. This framework envisions the creation of protected areas, both on land and in the sea, covering at least 30% of the planet by 2030. Additionally, it calls for the mobilisation of $200 billion annually to support biodiversity-related policies.

In July 2023, the European Parliament gave the green light to the Nature Restoration Law, a proposed regulation focused on restoring natural ecosystems. This law is a key component of the European Green Deal, setting binding targets in line with the EU's international biodiversity commitments.

This is the context for the European Business and Nature Summit (EBNS), Europe's largest conference dedicated to crafting sustainable business models working with biodiversity at their core. The 2023 edition of the conference will be held on October 11-12 in Milan, at Palazzo Lombardia. The event is organised and funded by the European Commission. ItaSIF is among the Italian co-organisers of the event, together with Etifor and Regione Lombardia.

The summit, which will be opened by a keynote speech of the European Commissioner for the Environment Virginijus Sinkevičius, will feature a series of high-level discussions and practical workshops. It will serve as a platform for policymakers, businesses, and financial institutions to exchange ideas and insights, with over 50 international speakers.

The programme is structured around four themes:

• monitor, assess and disclose biodiversity;
• reduce impacts and regenerate ecosystems;
• unlock financial resources through innovative mechanisms;
• foster inclusive partnerships to accelerate action.

The conference will be conducted in English. Registration is mandatory due to limited capacity: only one participant per organisation can register. For those unable to attend in person, live streaming of all events will be available.

To access the detailed programme and register for the event, please click here.