Conference of the Parties (CoP) to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD)

The convention was an outcome of United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (1992).

  • The 3-objectives of the convention are “the conservation of biological diversity, the sustainable use of its components and the fair and equitable sharing of the benefits arising out of the utilization of genetic resources.”
  • Conference of Parties (CoP) is the “supreme body” of the Convention, as it is its highest decision-making authority. The CoP is held biennially. Till date (2019), 14 CoP have been held.

Important CoP Outcomes

Cartagena Protocol(CoP 5)

  • On 29 January 2000, the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity adopted a supplementary agreement to the Convention known as the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety.
  • The Protocol seeks to protect biological diversity from the potential risks posed by living modified organisms (LMOs) resulting from modern biotechnology.
  • It establishes an Advance Informed Agreement (AIA) procedure for ensuring that countries are provided with the information necessary to make informed decisions before agreeing to the import of such organisms into their territory.
  • The Protocol establishes a Biosafety Clearing-House to facilitate the exchange of information on living modified organisms and to assist countries in the implementation of the Protocol.

Nagoya Protocol on Access to Genetic Resources and the Fair and Equitable Sharing of Benefits Arising from their Utilization (ABS) (CoP 10)

  • It is a supplementary agreement to the Convention on Biological Diversity which was adopted on 29 October 2010 in Nagoya, Japan and entered into force on 12 October 2014.
  • It provides a transparent legal framework for the effective implementation of one of the three objectives of the CBD: the fair and equitable sharing of benefits arising out of the utilization of genetic resources.
  • The Nagoya Protocol sets out core obligations for its contracting Parties to take measures in relation to access to genetic resources, benefit-sharing and compliance.

Aichi Targets (CoP 10)

  • It was also an outcome of CoP 10 where the parties decided to frame quantifiable targets for biodiversity conservation. They are set of 20 ambitious yet achievable targets for the decade 2011-20. These 20 targets are categorized into 5 major heads, which are –

– Strategic Goal A: Address the underlying causes of biodiversity loss by mainstreaming biodiversity across government and society

– Strategic Goal B: Reduce the direct pressures on biodiversity and promote sustainable use

– Strategic Goal C: To improve the status of biodiversity by safeguarding ecosystems, species and genetic diversity

– Strategic Goal D: Enhance the benefits to all from biodiversity and ecosystem services

– Strategic Goal E: Enhance implementation through participatory planning, knowledge management and capacity building.

  • As per provisions of CBD, submitting national reports stating the progress is mandatory. India so far has submitted 6 status reports and is amongst the first five countries to do so.
  • The National Report-6 provides an update of progress in achievement of 12 National Biodiversity Targets (NBT) developed under the Convention process in line with the 20 global Aichi biodiversity targets.
  • Briefly, the Report highlights that while India has exceeded/overachieved two NBTs, it is on track to achieve eight NBTs and in respect of the remaining two NBTs also, India is striving to meet the targets by the stipulated time of 2020.

Conclusion

Biodiversity is the variety of all the genes, species and ecosystems, which are found on our planet. It provides humanity with the cornucopia of goods and services, from food, energy and materials to the genes, which protect our crops and cure our diseases. The loss of the Earth’s biological diversity is one of the most pressing environmental and developmental issues. The management of biodiversity is thus a complex matter that needs the involvement of many different partners ranging from governmental organizations to private companies, NGOs and volunteers. This aside, national and international commitment, legislation and enforcement offer an essential framework for promoting and maintaining biodiversity.

12 National Biodiversity Targets of India

  1. By 2020, a significant proportion of the country’s population, especially the youth, is aware of the values of biodiversity and the steps they can take to conserve and use it sustainably.
  2. By 2020, values of biodiversity are integrated into national and state planning processes, development programmes and poverty alleviation strategies.
  3. Strategies for reducing the rate of degradation, fragmentation and loss of all natural habitats are finalized and actions put in place by 2020 for environmental amelioration and human well-being.
  4. By 2020, invasive alien species and pathways are identified and strategies to manage them developed so that populations of prioritized invasive alien species are managed.
  5. By 2020, measures are adopted for sustainable management of agriculture, forestry and fisheries.
  6. Ecologically representative areas under terrestrial and inland water, and also coastal and marine zones, especially those of particular importance for species, biodiversity and ecosystem services, are conserved effectively and equitably, based on protected area designation and management and other area-based conservation measures and are integrated into the wider landscapes and seascapes, covering over 20% of the geographic area of the country, by 2020.
  7. By 2020, genetic diversity of cultivated plants, farm livestock, and their wild relatives, including other socio-economically as well as culturally valuable species, is maintained, and strategies have been developed and implemented for minimizing genetic erosion and safeguarding their genetic diversity.
  8. By 2020, ecosystem services, especially those relating to water, human health, livelihoods and well-being, are enumerated and measures to safeguard them are identified, taking into account the needs of women and local communities, particularly the poor and vulnerable sections.
  9. By 2015, Access to Genetic Resources and the Fair and Equitable Sharing of Benefits Arising from their Utilization as per the Nagoya Protocol are operational, consistent with national legislation.
  10. By 2020, an effective, participatory and updated national biodiversity action plan is made operational at different levels of governance.
  11. By 2020, national initiatives using communities’ traditional knowledge relating to biodiversity are strengthened, with the view to protecting this knowledge in accordance with national legislation and international obligations.
  12. By 2020, opportunities to increase the availability of financial, human and technical resources to facilitate effective implementation of the Strategic Plan for Biodiversity 2011-2020 and the national targets are identified and the Strategy for Resource Mobilization is adopted.

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