Convention on Biological Diversity

Definition

The Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) is an international treaty established to promote sustainable development by protecting the world's biodiversity, ensuring the fair and equitable sharing of benefits arising from genetic resources, and promoting conservation efforts. It connects global efforts to conserve biological diversity with the ownership and utilization of genetic information derived from living organisms.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The Convention was opened for signature in 1992 at the Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro and has been ratified by nearly all countries in the world.
2. One key objective of the CBD is to ensure that biodiversity is used sustainably while maintaining ecosystem services essential for human survival.
3. The treaty emphasizes the importance of traditional knowledge and practices of indigenous peoples in the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity.
4. The CBD includes mechanisms for reporting on progress towards its goals, requiring member countries to create national strategies for biodiversity conservation.
5. The Nagoya Protocol, adopted in 2010, is an extension of the CBD focusing specifically on access to genetic resources and the fair sharing of benefits derived from their utilization.

Review Questions

• How does the Convention on Biological Diversity address the issue of genetic resource ownership?
  • The Convention on Biological Diversity addresses genetic resource ownership through its Access and Benefit-Sharing framework. This framework ensures that countries providing genetic resources have a say in how those resources are accessed and used. It promotes fairness by requiring that benefits arising from these resources are shared equitably with local communities and countries of origin, thus acknowledging their contribution to biodiversity conservation.
• What role does traditional knowledge play in the objectives of the Convention on Biological Diversity?
  • Traditional knowledge is recognized as a vital component in achieving the objectives of the Convention on Biological Diversity. The treaty emphasizes the importance of incorporating indigenous peoples' knowledge and practices in conservation strategies. This inclusion helps ensure that biodiversity is conserved sustainably while respecting cultural heritage and fostering collaboration between indigenous communities and scientific efforts.
• Evaluate the effectiveness of the Convention on Biological Diversity in achieving its goals since its inception, particularly regarding global biodiversity loss.
  • Evaluating the effectiveness of the Convention on Biological Diversity reveals both successes and challenges. While it has fostered international cooperation and awareness around biodiversity issues, global biodiversity loss continues at an alarming rate. Factors such as habitat destruction, climate change, and overexploitation persist despite CBD initiatives. The challenge remains to implement effective policies and strategies at national levels that align with CBD principles to halt biodiversity loss while addressing underlying socio-economic factors.

Related terms

Biodiversity: The variety of life in a particular habitat or ecosystem, encompassing the diversity of species, genetic variability, and ecological processes.

Genetic Resources: Any genetic material of actual or potential value that is contained within living organisms, which can be utilized for research, agriculture, or biotechnology.

Access and Benefit-Sharing: A principle under the CBD that mandates the fair and equitable sharing of benefits arising from the use of genetic resources, ensuring that countries providing these resources receive benefits from their utilization.