Convention on Biological Diversity

Definition

The Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) is an international treaty aimed at promoting sustainable development by conserving the world's biological diversity, ensuring the sustainable use of its components, and sharing the benefits arising from genetic resources. Established in 1992 during the Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro, the CBD recognizes the intrinsic value of biodiversity and the need for countries to work together to protect ecosystems and natural habitats.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The CBD has three main objectives: conservation of biological diversity, sustainable use of its components, and fair and equitable sharing of benefits derived from genetic resources.
2. As of October 2023, there are 196 parties to the Convention, making it one of the most widely accepted international agreements.
3. The CBD is complemented by two additional protocols: the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety and the Nagoya Protocol on Access and Benefit-sharing.
4. The Conference of the Parties (COP) is the governing body of the CBD, meeting every two years to assess progress and make decisions about future actions.
5. One of the key outcomes of the CBD is the Aichi Biodiversity Targets, which were adopted in 2010 to set global biodiversity targets for 2020.

Review Questions

• Discuss how the Convention on Biological Diversity promotes sustainable development through its objectives.
  • The Convention on Biological Diversity promotes sustainable development by emphasizing three core objectives: conserving biological diversity, sustainably using its components, and ensuring equitable sharing of benefits derived from genetic resources. By focusing on conservation efforts, countries can maintain healthy ecosystems that support human life and well-being. Additionally, sustainable use encourages practices that benefit both people and nature, while equitable sharing ensures that all nations benefit from biodiversity resources, thus fostering international cooperation towards a common goal.
• Evaluate the effectiveness of the Aichi Biodiversity Targets in guiding global efforts to conserve biodiversity since their adoption.
  • The Aichi Biodiversity Targets have played a crucial role in guiding global conservation efforts by setting specific and measurable goals aimed at reversing biodiversity loss. However, evaluations indicate mixed results; while some targets have seen significant progress, others remain unmet due to challenges such as inadequate funding and political will. The framework provided by these targets has helped raise awareness about biodiversity issues but highlights the need for enhanced cooperation among nations to achieve meaningful outcomes.
• Analyze the challenges facing the Convention on Biological Diversity in achieving its goals in light of current global environmental issues.
  • The Convention on Biological Diversity faces significant challenges in achieving its goals due to current global environmental issues like climate change, habitat destruction, and pollution. These factors exacerbate biodiversity loss and complicate conservation efforts. Additionally, competing economic interests often prioritize short-term gains over long-term sustainability. To address these challenges effectively, stronger international collaboration is essential along with integrated approaches that align biodiversity conservation with broader environmental policies.

Related terms

Biodiversity: The variety of life in the world or in a particular habitat or ecosystem, encompassing diversity within species, between species, and of ecosystems.

Sustainable Development: A development approach that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs, emphasizing the balance between economic growth, environmental protection, and social equity.

Ecosystem Services: The benefits that humans receive from ecosystems, including provisioning services like food and water, regulating services like climate regulation, and cultural services like recreational opportunities.