Biological Diversity Definition
There are various types of natural resources on the Earth, but the biological resource is of the utmost importance. For the economic and social development of human beings, biological resources play a crucial role. So, biological diversity is a global asset as for the present, and future generations are concerned. Despite that, there should be a check system to control and maintain biodiversity. The continuous human activities are taking a toll on biological diversity. The threat to biodiversity due to human intervention and human activity is more prominent, and it is getting worse day by day. The extinction of species due to human activities has continued till now.
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Success and Failure Behind Convention on Biological Diversity 1992
The convention on biological diversity was inspired by the few people committed to conserving biological resources and sustainable development. As far as its success is concerned, this must be noted that conservation of biodiversity is not an overnight job that can be completed. It is more like a set of actions that need to be done to conserve biological diversity. Conservation of biological diversity is not an act, and it is a consequence.
There is a popular perception that the convention on Biological Diversity CBD is a failure. Despite the contrary perception, the convention on biological diversity has successfully promoted conservationism and sustainable development. Of course, it has not reached the scale and speed needed to reverse the present trend completely. It is always a question of perspective.
The CBD has cooperated with other global biodiversity conventions and treaties like CITES, CMS, IPPC, IWC, Plant Treaty, Ramsar, and World Heritage. Not only that, major UN Organizations like FAO, ONEP, UNESCO, WHO, and other international organizations like CAFF, GEF, IUCN, etc., are successfully adopting an ambitious global Strategy for biodiversity for 2011-2020. This shows the success of the convention of biodiversity. We all know, still, there is a long way to go. Writing an idea on paper and implementing it in real life is a different task. It is still expected that the convention will inspire generations to come to preserve and opt for sustainability.
Role of US in Convention on Biological Diversity CBD
At the time of the convention on Biological diversity CBD, the President of the United States was George W. Bush. Nowadays, the supporters of George Bush say it was the right decision at that time, as the United States was the richest nation at that time, so Bush thought it was very loss oriented as far as the government is concerned because one of the aims of the convention was to provide financial benefits to the developing countries.
The opponents of this decision point out the United States’ position and global leadership. They say this is very disrespectful for the people of the world’s greatest nation because 191 parties joined the biodiversity treaty but not the United States. This shows the United States' position on the conservation of biodiversity. The greatest country in the world does not care about biodiversity is an irony in itself. This must be noted, while the United States is a non-party. However, there are still few private organizations in the United States that independently work on biodiversity conservation.
There is a saying or more like a prediction by the environmental scientists. The extinction of species at an alarming rate indicates there can be the extinction of human beings in the future. So, there is a need to conserve biodiversity.
Human beings, for their benefit, have been exploiting animals for a long time. People are poaching animals for the skin and tusk, and teeth, after the convention on biological diversity in the United States.
Need of Biological Conventions
The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) intervened and with the help of the Ad Hoc Working Group of Experts on biological diversity in November 1988. The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) aimed to explore the need for a global convention on biodiversity. Afterwards in 1989, in May, A group of experts (The Ad Hoc Working Group of Technical and Legal Experts) was approached to prepare a legal instrument for the conservation and sustainability of biodiversity. The need for this is discussed, and the importance of conserving biodiversity was discussed in detail. It was also concerned why developed countries should support developing countries financially to afford various programs to conserve biodiversity and local flora and fauna. Developed countries should share costs and benefits with the developing countries and support the innovation by local people to save biodiversity was the key highlight in the meeting.
The Ad Hoc Working Group, by February 1991, became the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee. Its work was wrapped up on 22 May 1992 with the Nairobi Conference to adopt the convention on biodiversity.
FAQs on Convention on Biological Diversity
1. What is the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD)?
The Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) is a landmark multilateral treaty with three primary objectives: the conservation of biological diversity, the sustainable use of its components, and the fair and equitable sharing of benefits arising from the use of genetic resources. It was a key agreement adopted at the 1992 Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro, establishing a comprehensive framework for global action on biodiversity.
2. What are the three main objectives of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD)?
The three core goals of the CBD, as outlined in its articles, are fundamental to its mission. They are:
Conservation of Biodiversity: To protect the variety of life on Earth, including ecosystems, species, and genetic resources.
Sustainable Use of its Components: To manage and use biological resources in a way that meets current needs without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own, preventing long-term decline.
Fair and Equitable Sharing of Benefits: To ensure that the benefits derived from the use of genetic resources are shared justly, particularly with the countries and indigenous communities that provide them.
3. When and where did the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) originate?
The Convention on Biological Diversity was opened for signature on June 5, 1992, at the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED), more famously known as the Rio Earth Summit, which took place in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The convention officially entered into force on December 29, 1993, after receiving the necessary number of national ratifications.
4. How has India implemented the provisions of the Convention on Biological Diversity?
India has taken significant legislative and institutional steps to meet its commitments under the CBD. The most important measure was the enactment of the Biological Diversity Act in 2002. This act established a three-tiered structure to regulate access to biological resources and ensure benefit-sharing: the National Biodiversity Authority (NBA) at the national level, State Biodiversity Boards (SBBs) at the state level, and Biodiversity Management Committees (BMCs) at the local level.
5. What is the role of the Conference of the Parties (COP) in the CBD framework?
The Conference of the Parties (COP) is the governing body of the Convention. It comprises representatives from all member countries (Parties) and meets periodically to review progress, adopt protocols, and set strategic goals. Its key function is to guide the implementation of the Convention, make decisions on its work programs, and address emerging issues in biodiversity conservation, such as through the adoption of the Nagoya and Cartagena Protocols.
6. Why is the United States a notable exception as a non-party to the CBD?
The United States is the only major developed nation that has not ratified the Convention on Biological Diversity. While the U.S. signed the treaty in 1993, it has not completed the ratification process. The primary concerns cited by opponents in the U.S. revolve around the Convention's provisions on intellectual property rights, technology transfer, and financial mechanisms. There were fears that these rules could potentially hinder the biotechnology and pharmaceutical industries by imposing strict regulations on access to genetic resources and benefit-sharing.
7. How does the CBD's principle of 'fair and equitable sharing of benefits' work in practice?
This principle, known as Access and Benefit-Sharing (ABS), is operationalised through the Nagoya Protocol. In practice, it requires that any person or institution seeking to use a country's genetic resources (e.g., a medicinal plant) must obtain 'Prior Informed Consent' (PIC) from the provider country. They must also negotiate 'Mutually Agreed Terms' (MAT) that define how any benefits, whether monetary (like royalties) or non-monetary (like research collaboration), will be shared. This prevents 'biopiracy' and ensures that provider nations and communities are fairly compensated.
8. What is the key difference between the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) and CITES?
While both are crucial for conservation, their focus is different. The CBD is a broad framework convention covering all aspects of biodiversity, including ecosystems, species, and genetic diversity, along with sustainable use and benefit-sharing. In contrast, CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora) has a much narrower focus: it specifically regulates the international trade of species to ensure that commercial activities do not threaten their survival.
