16 October 2014: In a side event on the theme, ‘Does biodiversity matter for development?’ held at the margins of the twelfth meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD COP12), the EU discussed the launch of the ‘Development Cooperation B4Life Flagship Initiative.’ Over the next seven years, the EU will use the Biodiversity for Life (B4Life) Initiative to support developing countries’ efforts to protect biodiversity, ensure sustainable livelihoods and combat wildlife crime.

According to an Initiative brief, B4Life will address issues such as food insecurity linked to ecosystem degradation, poor governance of natural resources, global economic growth at the expense of nature, as well as the recent increases in poaching and illegal trade in wildlife. The Initiative is meant to focus on the nexus of biodiversity and development, expounding on lessons learned to date by the EU, and linkages between poverty eradication and ecosystem conservation.

Speaking at the launch, John Scanlon, Secretary General of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), highlighted the importance of the Initiative with regard to political support for biodiversity conservation, coordination in the fight against wildlife crime, and the recognition that habitat conservation is a development issue. [Publication: The EU Biodiversity for Life Flagship Initiative] [CITES News] [IISD RS article on B4Life Launch]