Convention on Biological Diversity

Definition

The Convention on Biological Diversity is an international treaty aimed at conserving biological diversity, promoting sustainable use of its components, and ensuring fair sharing of benefits arising from genetic resources. Established in 1992 during the Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro, this treaty connects environmental law to property rights by addressing how biological resources are accessed and utilized, highlighting the rights of countries and indigenous peoples over their natural resources.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The Convention was signed by over 150 countries at the Earth Summit in 1992 and has since become one of the most widely ratified international treaties.
2. It aims to address biodiversity loss by promoting conservation strategies that involve local communities and indigenous knowledge.
3. The treaty emphasizes the importance of sustainable practices in agriculture, forestry, and fisheries to protect biodiversity.
4. Parties to the Convention are required to create national biodiversity strategies and action plans to conserve their biological resources.
5. The Nagoya Protocol, adopted in 2010, is a supplementary agreement that provides a framework for implementing Access and Benefit-Sharing provisions of the Convention.

Review Questions

• How does the Convention on Biological Diversity integrate environmental law with property rights?
  • The Convention on Biological Diversity integrates environmental law with property rights by establishing guidelines for how countries manage and use their biological resources. It recognizes the sovereign rights of nations over their natural resources while promoting conservation efforts. This means that countries can control access to genetic resources found within their territories and negotiate terms for their use, ensuring that local communities benefit from these resources.
• In what ways does the Convention on Biological Diversity impact local communities and indigenous peoples?
  • The Convention on Biological Diversity impacts local communities and indigenous peoples by recognizing their roles as key stakeholders in biodiversity conservation. It encourages the inclusion of traditional knowledge in biodiversity management practices and emphasizes fair benefit-sharing arrangements for communities that provide genetic resources. This approach aims to empower local populations, protect their rights, and promote sustainable practices that respect cultural values while fostering ecological balance.
• Evaluate the effectiveness of the Convention on Biological Diversity in addressing global biodiversity loss since its inception.
  • The effectiveness of the Convention on Biological Diversity in addressing global biodiversity loss has been mixed. While it has successfully raised awareness about the importance of biodiversity and encouraged many nations to develop national strategies for conservation, significant challenges remain. Issues such as habitat destruction, climate change, and over-exploitation continue to threaten biodiversity worldwide. Furthermore, the implementation of its provisions varies widely among countries, often influenced by economic interests and political will, which complicates collective efforts toward effective conservation.

Related terms

Biodiversity: Biodiversity refers to the variety of life forms on Earth, including different species, ecosystems, and genetic variations within species.

Sustainable Development:

Sustainable development is a development approach that seeks to balance economic growth, environmental protection, and social equity for present and future generations.

Access and Benefit-Sharing (ABS): Access and Benefit-Sharing (ABS) is a principle under the Convention that requires countries to ensure that benefits derived from genetic resources are shared fairly with the communities or countries providing those resources.