<<–2/”>a >h2>Convention on Biodiversity-2/”>Biodiversity
- Opened for signature at the Earth Summit in 1992 and entered into force on December 29, 1993
- There are 193 parties. Its secretariat is based in Montreal, Canada.
- US has signed but not ratified the treaty.
- It is an international legally-binding treaty with three main goals:
- conservation of biodiversity
- sustainable use of biodiversity
- fair and equitable sharing of the benefits arising from the use of genetic Resources
- Its overall objective is to encourage actions which will lead to sustainable future
- CBD covers biodiversity at all levels: Ecosystems, species and genetic resources
- It also covers Biotechnology through the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety
- Its governing body is the Conference of Parties (COP). They meet every two years
- The Ecosystem Approach, an integrated strategy for the management of resources, is the framework for action under the Convention
- Precautionary principle: it states that where there is threat of significant reduction or loss of biological diversity, lack of full scientific certainty should not be used as a reason for postponing measures to avoid or minimize such threat.
- 2010 is the International Year of Biodiversity.
COP-10 of CBD
- Held at Nagoya, Japan in October 2010.
- It achieved three inter-linked goals
- Adoption of a new ten year strategic plan to save biodiversity
- Resource mobilization strategy to increase official development assistance for biodiversity
- A new international protocol on access to and sharing the benefits from the use of the genetic resources of the planet (Nagoya Protocol)
- Japan Biodiversity Fund was established
- COP-11 will take place in 2012 in India
Nagoya Protocol
- Nagoya Protocol on Access to Genetic Resources and the Fair and Equitable Sharing of Benefits Arising from Their Utilization
- The protocol creates a framework that balances access to genetic resources on the basis of prior informed Consent and mutually agreed terms with a fair and equitable sharing
- Expected to enter into force in 2012
- The Strategic Plan of CBD, which aims to arrest biodiversity loss throughout the world by 2020, will be called the Aichi Target. <Aichi is the prefecture in which Nagoya is situated>
Aichi Target
- The Strategic Plan of the CBD or the ‘Aichi Target’ adopted by the meeting include 20 headline targets, organised under five strategic goals that address the underlying causes of biodiversity loss, reduce the pressures on biodiversity, safeguard biodiversity at all levels, enhance the benefits provided by biodiversity, and provide for capacity building.
- The Aichi target will be the overarching framework on biodiversity not only for the biodiversity-related conventions, but for the entire UN system.
- Some targets
- 17 pc inland and 10 pc marine ecosystem
- Conserving coral reefs
- Restore 15 pc of degraded areas
- Halve or bring to zero the rate of loss of natural habitats including forests
- Target is that by 2020, at least 17 pc of terrestrial and inland water, and 10 pc of coastal and marine areas, especially areas of particular importance for biodiversity and ecosystem are conserved
- The conservation is to be done through effectively and equitably managed, ecologically representative and well connected systems of Protected Areas and other effective area-based conservation measures, and integrated into the wider landscapes and seascapes.
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The Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) is an international treaty that was adopted at the Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro in 1992. The CBD has three objectives:
- Conservation of biological diversity
- Sustainable use of its components
- Fair and equitable sharing of the benefits arising out of the utilization of genetic resources
The CBD is based on six principles:
- The sovereign right of States over their Natural Resources
- The common but differentiated responsibilities of States
- The precautionary approach
- The polluter pays principle
- The participatory approach
- The transparency principle
- The accountability principle
The CBD has four main areas of action:
- Conservation of biological diversity
- Sustainable use of its components
- Fair and equitable sharing of the benefits arising out of the utilization of genetic resources
- Access to genetic resources and technology
The CBD has an institutional framework that includes the Conference of the Parties (COP), the Secretariat, the Subsidiary Body on Scientific, Technical and Technological Advice (SBSTTA), and the Subsidiary Body on Implementation (SBI). The CBD also has a financial mechanism.
The CBD has been ratified by 196 States. The CBD entered into force on 29 December 1993.
The Nagoya Protocol on Access to Genetic Resources and the Fair and Equitable Sharing of Benefits Arising from their Utilization to the Convention on Biological Diversity is an international treaty that was adopted at the 10th Conference of the Parties to the CBD in Nagoya, Japan, in 2010. The Nagoya Protocol has three objectives:
- To promote the fair and equitable sharing of the benefits arising out of the utilization of genetic resources
- To ensure that access to genetic resources is on mutually agreed terms
- To establish a legal framework for the implementation of the ABS provisions of the Convention on Biological Diversity
The Nagoya Protocol is based on the same six principles as the CBD. The Nagoya Protocol has an institutional framework that includes the Conference of the Parties serving as the meeting of the Parties to the Protocol (COP/MOP), the Secretariat, the Ad Hoc Open-ended Working Group on Access and Benefit-sharing (ABS WG), and the financial mechanism.
The Nagoya Protocol has been ratified by 139 States. The Nagoya Protocol entered into force on 12 October 2014.
The AICHI Biodiversity Targets are a set of 20 targets that were adopted at the 10th Conference of the Parties to the CBD in Nagoya, Japan, in 2010. The Aichi Biodiversity Targets are due to be achieved by 2020. The Aichi Biodiversity Targets are:
- To achieve by 2020 a significant reduction of the current rate of biodiversity loss
- To achieve by 2020 the conservation of at least 17 per cent of terrestrial and inland water areas, and 10 per cent of coastal and marine areas, especially areas of particular importance for biodiversity and ecosystem Services
- To effectively and equitably manage ecosystems, including forests, Mountains, dry and sub-humid lands, coastal and marine areas, and inland water ecosystems, and to protect and restore degraded ecosystems, in particular those of significant importance for biodiversity and ecosystem services
- To promote the sustainable use of domesticated plant and animal genetic resources for food and agriculture, and the fair and equitable sharing of the benefits arising out of their utilization
- To integrate the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity into national and local development plans, strategies and programs
- To strengthen the capacity of countries, in particular developing countries, for the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity and the fair and equitable sharing of the benefits arising out of the utilization of genetic resources
- To establish or maintain mechanisms at the national, regional and international levels, including through the Global Environment Facility, for the effective implementation of this Strategic Plan and the achievement of its Aichi Biodiversity Targets
Progress towards the Aichi Biodiversity Targets has been mixed. Some targets, such as the target to conserve at least 17 per cent of terrestrial and inland water areas, are on track to be achieved. However, other targets, such as the target to promote the sustainable use of domesticated plant and animal genetic resources for food and agriculture, are not on track to be achieved.
The CBD, the Nagoya Protocol, and the Aichi Biodiversity Targets are all important international instruments for the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity. However, more needs to be done to achieve the goals of these instruments.
What is biodiversity?
Biodiversity is the variety of life on Earth. It includes all living things, from Plants and animals to bacteria and Fungi. Biodiversity is important because it provides us with food, medicine, and other resources. It also helps to regulate the Climate and protect us from natural disasters.
What is the Convention on Biological Diversity?
The Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) is an international treaty that was signed in 1992. The CBD aims to conserve biodiversity, promote the sustainable use of its components, and fair and equitable sharing of the benefits arising out of the utilization of genetic resources.
What is the Nagoya Protocol?
The Nagoya Protocol is an international agreement that was adopted in 2010. The Nagoya Protocol is an amendment to the CBD that aims to promote the fair and equitable sharing of benefits arising out of the utilization of genetic resources.
What are the Aichi Targets?
The Aichi Targets are a set of 20 targets that were adopted by the CBD in 2010. The Aichi Targets aim to conserve and sustainably use biodiversity by 2020.
What are some of the threats to biodiversity?
Some of the threats to biodiversity include habitat loss, overexploitation, pollution, Climate Change, and invasive species.
What can we do to conserve biodiversity?
There are many things that we can do to conserve biodiversity, including:
- Protecting and restoring habitats
- Reducing pollution
- Managing resources sustainably
- Supporting Sustainable Agriculture
- Raising awareness about biodiversity
What are the benefits of conserving biodiversity?
There are many benefits to conserving biodiversity, including:
- Food Security
- Water security
- Climate regulation
- Disease control
- Economic Development
- Cultural and spiritual enrichment
What is the future of biodiversity?
The future of biodiversity is uncertain. However, if we take action to conserve biodiversity, we can ensure that it continues to provide us with the many benefits that it offers.
Question 1
Which of the following is not a goal of the Convention on Biological Diversity?
(A) Conservation of biological diversity
(B) Sustainable use of its components
(C) Fair and equitable sharing of the benefits arising out of the utilization of genetic resources
(D) The introduction of alien species that may have adverse effects on biological diversity
Answer
(D)
The Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) is an international treaty that was adopted at the Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro in 1992. The CBD’s three main goals are:
- Conservation of biological diversity
- Sustainable use of its components
- Fair and equitable sharing of the benefits arising out of the utilization of genetic resources
The CBD does not include a goal of introducing alien species that may have adverse effects on biological diversity.
Question 2
Which of the following is not a principle of the Convention on Biological Diversity?
(A) The precautionary approach
(B) The polluter pays principle
(C) The principle of common but differentiated responsibility
(D) The principle of Equity
Answer
(B)
The Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) is an international treaty that was adopted at the Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro in 1992. The CBD’s three main goals are:
- Conservation of biological diversity
- Sustainable use of its components
- Fair and equitable sharing of the benefits arising out of the utilization of genetic resources
The CBD includes four principles:
- The sovereign right of States over their own biological resources
- The common but differentiated responsibility of States
- The precautionary approach
- The polluter pays principle
The polluter pays principle is not one of the principles of the CBD.
Question 3
Which of the following is not a target of the Aichi Biodiversity Targets?
(A) By 2020, at least 17 per cent of terrestrial and inland water areas, and 10 per cent of coastal and marine areas, are conserved through effectively and equitably managed, ecologically representative and well-connected systems of protected areas and other effective area-based conservation measures, and integrated into the wider landscape and seascape
(B) By 2020, the extinction of known threatened species has been prevented and their populations are, on Average, increasing and, where feasible, restored to levels that ensure their long-term survival
(C) By 2020, the Genetic diversity of cultivated plants and domesticated animals and of wild relatives, including other organisms that play essential roles in the production of food and agriculture, is maintained and enhanced, as appropriate, through Sound management practices
(D) By 2020, the benefits to all from the utilization of genetic resources are shared fairly and equitably, in accordance with the three objectives of the Convention, and the fair and equitable sharing of the benefits arising out of the utilization of genetic resources is a reality for all countries, especially developing countries
Answer
(D)
The Aichi Biodiversity Targets are a set of 20 targets that were adopted at the 10th Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) in Nagoya, Japan, in 2010. The targets are designed to guide the implementation of the CBD over the next decade.
The target that is not included in the list is:
- By 2020, the benefits to all from the utilization of genetic resources are shared fairly and equitably, in accordance with the three objectives of the Convention, and the fair and equitable sharing of the benefits arising out of the utilization of genetic resources is a reality for all countries, especially developing countries
This target was not included in the list because it is not a target of the Aichi Biodiversity Targets.