What is the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD)?

About Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD):

• CBD, with currently 196 contracting parties, is the most comprehensive binding international agreement in the field of nature conservation and the sustainable use of natural resources.
• It was opened for signing at the UN Conference on Environment and Development in Rio de Janeiro in 1992. 
• It has three overarching objectives:
  • The conservation of biological diversity (genetic diversity, species diversity, and habitat diversity).
  • The sustainable use of biological diversity.
  • The fair and equitable sharing of the benefits arising out of the utilisation of genetic resources.
• It covers biodiversity at all levels: ecosystems, species, and genetic resources. 
• The CBD’s governing body is the Conference of the Parties (COP). This ultimate authority of all governments (or Parties) that have ratified the treaty meets every two years to review progress, set priorities, and commit to work plans.
• The Secretariat is based in Montreal, Canada.
• To support implementation of the CBD objectives, two internationally binding agreements were adopted within the framework of the Convention on Biological Diversity.
  • The Cartagena Protocol, which was adopted in 2000 and entered into force in 2003, regulates the transboundary movement of living modified organisms (LMOs).
  • The Nagoya Protocol, adopted in 2010, establishes a legally binding framework for access to genetic resources and the fair and equitable sharing of the benefits arising from their use.

Q1: What is the Montreal Protocol?

The Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer is the landmark multilateral environmental agreement that regulates the production and consumption of nearly 100 man-made chemicals referred to as ozone depleting substances (ODS). When released into the atmosphere, those chemicals damage the stratospheric ozone layer, Earth’s protective shield that protects humans and the environment from harmful levels of ultraviolet radiation from the sun. Adopted on 16 September 1987, the Protocol is to date one of the rare treaties to achieve universal ratification.

Source: DTE at COP16: Year’s big biodiversity meet set to begin in Cali, Colombia

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