The Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD)
The Convention on Biological Diversity (“CBD”) is one of the most significant treaties with approximately 196 parties. It is an international treaty that seeks to protect the biodiversity of the world by ensuring its sustainable use and that the benefits accrued from genetic resources are shared equitably. The CBD was first opened to signing in Rio de Janeiro at the Earth Summit in 1992 and it entered into force after 29th December, 1993. Global biodiversity is the central pillar for strong food supply, clean water, irrigation, climatic moderation, and control of pollution. All these aspects play a critical part in determining a nation’s health, but anthropogenic activities like, habitat alteration, overexploitation, environmental pollution, and global warming, need a timely solution through the CDB or else the world will be left with no biodiversity and earth will become a desert.
SECTION: GLOBAL AWARENESS INITIATIVES TO PROTECT THE ENVIRONMENT
4/21/20253 min read
Purpose and Functions
The CBD has three main objectives:
1. Conservation of biodiversity
Target ecosystems of varying complexity to protect endangered species, genetic resources and biological diversity.
Conserve and maintain a healthy environment to allow species to thrive.
Put in place relevant protected areas as well as conservation and management programs to sustain biological diversity.
2. Sustain Use of Biological Resources
Encourage responsible farming, fishing, forestry, and practices on agricultural land.
Practice environment-friendly agriculture, fisheries, mining, and industrial work.
Apply approved indigenous conservation techniques.
3. Fair and Equitable sharing of Benefits
Ensure all nations receive a fair share of the benefits generated from the utilization of genetic resources (e.g., medical plants, agricultural crops).
Formulate and implement Benefit Sharing policies that engage local communities and indigenous people in the management of biological diversity.
Illustrative example: The Nagoya Protocol of 2010 under the Biodiversity Convention affirms that countries should be compensated for their genetic resources.
Aichi Biodiversity Targets (2010-2020)
In 2010, the Biological Diversity Convention (CBD) introduced the Aichi Biodiversity Targets as a tool to stop the reduction of diversity. The 20 targets included:
At least 17% of land and 10% of marine areas should be under protection.
Halting and reducing the loss of natural habitats and deforestation.
15% of all degraded ecosystems should be restored.
Cessation or reduction of extinction of native species and causation of invasive species.
Sadly, and perhaps unsurprisingly, by 2020, most targets were not fully achieved and as a result a new plan has been drawn up.
The Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (2022)
At COP15 (2022) held in Montreal, Canada a new biodiversity strategy was put in place:
Key Goals for 2030
Ensure that 30% of the land and oceans is protected (30x30 target)
Restoring over 30% of degraded ecosystems.
Reduce the use of pesticides by 50% to slow down loss of species.
Set aside 200 billion dollars annually for promoting biodiversity.
This framework is regarded as the “biodiversity Paris Agreement.”
Biodiversity and Climate Change
The CBD recognizes the relationship between biodiversity and climate change:
Forests mitigate climate change as they absorb CO₂.
Healthy oceans aid in moisture regulation and support marine life.
Diverse ecosystems secures food security from climate shocks.
The CBD promotes nature-based solutions, such as:
Riga forests capture carbon by means of reforestation projects.
Mangrove restoration aids in coastal erosion prevention.
Sustainable agroecology farming methods help soil remain healthy.
Global Cooperation and Implementation
The CBD promotes international partnerships by using:
1. Development of National Biodiversity Strategies and Action Plans (NBSAPs)
Each country is to formulate a biodiversity conservation plan and submit a progress report.
Example: Through eco-tourism and conservation incentives, Costa Rica has restored forests successfully.
2. Conferences of the Parties (COP) Meeting:
At the CBD COP summits the countries evaluate the biodiversity policies.
COP15 (2022) resulted in the new Kunming-Montreal Agreement, which defined new biodiversity goals for 2030.
Achievements & Impact
The 196 parties to the CBD makes this treaty one of the most signed environmental agreements.
There is now more than 15% of land and 8% of oceans termed as globally protected area.
The Nagoya Protocolhas facilitated the fair and equitable sharing of genetic resources rather than exploitation.
Challenges & Criticism
1. Continuous Biodiversity Loss
The rate of species extinction, 100 to 1000 times greater, is natural levels.
The continuous deforestation of the Amazon, the overfishing, and the bleaching of coral reefs are still great threats.
2. Lack of enforcement
Some biodiversity pledges are optional, and as a result, some nations do not achieve their commitments.
There is very little progress tracking that can be done with the existing systems.
3. Insufficient funding
Many developing nations do not have sufficient funds to invest, yet billions are needed to conserve biological diversity.
Some countries place more value on economic development than environmental protection.
The Future of the CBD
To achieve targets of biodiversity, nations should:
Augment the scope of protected regions (30x30 target).
Adopt a nature-positive approach to include fighting climate change.
Enforce international regulations more effectively on the illegal trade of endangered species.
Foster publicity campaigns and engage the local population.
With the implementing of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, there is a renewed chance that countries will make serious commitments to halt and reverse the decline in world biodiversity by the year 2030.
The Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) remains the most important global environmental treaty for the protection of ecosystems, wildlife and genetic resources. There has been movement in the right direction, but swift measures must be taken to restore biodiversity and provide sustainability.
Would you be interested in highlighting certain national biodiversity strategies or success stories in conservation?