MEVE 014: Unit 13 - International Biodiversity Laws and Policies

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 UNIT 13: INTERNATIONAL BIODIVERSITY LAWS AND POLICIES

13.1 Introduction

Biodiversity is a global heritage and its conservation requires international collaboration. Over the past few decades, various international treaties, conventions, and legal instruments have been developed to address biodiversity loss and environmental degradation. These frameworks govern the sustainable use, conservation, and equitable sharing of biological resources across nations. This unit explores major international environmental agreements, financial mechanisms, legal frameworks like CBD, UNFCCC, TRIPS, and conventions like CITES and Ramsar, highlighting their significance in biodiversity conservation.

13.2 Objectives

After studying this unit, you will be able to:

  • Understand key international treaties and legal frameworks related to biodiversity.
  • Analyze the provisions and implications of CBD, UNFCCC, TRIPS, and other agreements.
  • Evaluate the role of financial and administrative institutions in global biodiversity governance.
  • Examine international cooperation mechanisms for biodiversity conservation.
  • Assess the case studies illustrating successful international biodiversity policies.

13.3 International Environmental Agreements

Several international agreements have been created to address biodiversity issues:

  • Stockholm Conference (1972): First major global environmental summit that led to UNEP’s formation.
  • Rio Earth Summit (1992): Gave rise to CBD, UNFCCC, and Agenda 21.
  • Johannesburg Summit (2002) and Rio+20 (2012): Reinforced global commitment to sustainable development.

These agreements recognize that biodiversity protection must be globally coordinated yet locally implemented.

13.4 Financial Resources for Global Environmental Protection

Financial mechanisms support the implementation of biodiversity-related treaties:

  • Global Environment Facility (GEF): Major financial institution supporting environmental projects under CBD, UNFCCC, and others.
  • Green Climate Fund (GCF): Established under the UNFCCC to fund climate-resilient biodiversity initiatives.
  • World Bank, UNDP, and Bilateral Aid Agencies: Also play crucial roles in funding biodiversity conservation.

13.5 Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD)

The CBD was adopted in 1992 at the Earth Summit. Its objectives are:

  1. Conservation of biological diversity.
  2. Sustainable use of its components.
  3. Fair and equitable sharing of benefits arising from genetic resources.

Key features:

  • National Biodiversity Strategies and Action Plans (NBSAPs).
  • Access and Benefit Sharing (ABS): Formalized under the Nagoya Protocol.
  • Cartagena Protocol: Addresses biosafety and genetically modified organisms.

13.6 United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC)

The UNFCCC, also adopted at the 1992 Rio Summit, aims to combat climate change, which directly impacts biodiversity.

13.6.1 Common but Differentiated Responsibilities (CBDR)

  • Recognizes that developed countries have contributed more to environmental degradation and thus have greater responsibility.

13.6.2 Data Gathering and Reporting

  • Obligates countries to submit national reports on emissions, mitigation, and adaptation actions.

13.6.3 Administrative Institutions, Structure, and Process

  • Conference of Parties (COP): Decision-making body.
  • Secretariat: Supports implementation.
  • Subsidiary Bodies: For scientific and implementation issues.

13.6.4 Balance with Industrialized Countries

  • Addresses the tension between environmental obligations and the economic interests of developing countries.

13.6.5 Economic Development

  • Emphasizes that biodiversity conservation must not hamper economic development, especially in the Global South.

13.7 TRIPS (Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights)

The TRIPS Agreement, under the World Trade Organization (WTO), impacts biodiversity through patent laws related to genetic resources.

13.7.1 TRIPS Council

  • Oversees the implementation and enforcement of TRIPS provisions.

13.7.2 TRIPS Transparency

  • Promotes disclosure of patent-related information, including origin of biological resources.

13.7.3 Technical Assistance

  • Developed countries are required to provide support to developing nations in implementing IP laws.

13.7.4 Cooperation with Other Intergovernmental Organizations

  • TRIPS works in coordination with WIPO, CBD, and FAO to ensure coherence between IP and biodiversity goals.

13.8 CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species)

CITES aims to ensure that international trade in wild fauna and flora does not threaten their survival.

13.8.1 Trade-related Aspects of IP Rights

  • CITES regulates trade through a permit system under three appendices based on species' threat levels.

Functions of CITES:

  • Monitoring trade.
  • Enforcing international laws.
  • Educating customs and enforcement officials.

Example: Regulation of ivory trade, protection of tiger and rhino species.

13.9 The Ramsar Convention on Wetlands

Established in 1971, it promotes the conservation and wise use of wetlands.

  • Identifies Wetlands of International Importance (Ramsar Sites).
  • Encourages national action and international cooperation.

Examples: Chilika Lake, Keoladeo National Park in India.

13.10 International Undertaking on Plant Genetic Resources and Farmers' Rights

Originally a voluntary agreement under the FAO, this initiative led to:

  • International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture (ITPGRFA).
  • Recognition of Farmers’ Rights to conserve, use, and share seeds.

13.11 UPOV Convention and the Rights in Plant Variety

The International Union for the Protection of New Varieties of Plants (UPOV) governs plant breeders' rights.

  • Encourages development of new plant varieties through protection and IP rights.
  • Criticized for limiting traditional farmers' seed-saving rights.

13.12 Interrelations with UPOV and WIPO

  • UPOV interacts with WIPO (World Intellectual Property Organization) to align plant variety protection with broader IP laws.
  • Tensions exist between breeders’ rights and traditional knowledge protection.

13.13 ITTA/ITTO (International Tropical Timber Agreement/Organization)

ITTO promotes conservation and sustainable management of tropical forests.

  • Supports forest certification, biodiversity conservation, and indigenous rights.

13.14 Role of Institutions and Policymaking in Conservation

Institutions such as UNEP, FAO, WIPO, WTO, and GEF influence biodiversity conservation policies by:

  • Facilitating cooperation.
  • Funding conservation programs.
  • Enabling scientific research.
  • Balancing trade and conservation needs.

13.15 Case Studies

  1. Nagoya Protocol Implementation in India:
    • India’s Biological Diversity Act aligns with CBD and ABS provisions.
  2. Ivory Trade Ban under CITES:
    • Helped curb elephant poaching in African countries.
  3. Wetland Conservation through Ramsar Sites:
    • Restoration of Chilika Lake increased biodiversity and livelihoods.
  4. TRIPS and Biopiracy Issues:
    • Patent on neem and turmeric revoked due to lack of prior informed consent.

13.16 Let Us Sum Up

  • International biodiversity laws provide a framework for global cooperation.
  • Key treaties like CBD, UNFCCC, TRIPS, CITES, and Ramsar address biodiversity conservation, trade, and rights.
  • Financial mechanisms like GEF and GCF support implementation.
  • Farmers’ rights and traditional knowledge remain key concerns in IP regimes.
  • Case studies show both the success and challenges of these frameworks.

13.17 Keywords

  • CBD – Convention on Biological Diversity
  • UNFCCC – United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change
  • CITES – Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species
  • TRIPS – Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights
  • Ramsar Convention – Agreement for conservation of wetlands
  • UPOV – Convention for protection of plant varieties
  • ITTO – International Tropical Timber Organization
  • GEF – Global Environment Facility
  • ABS – Access and Benefit Sharing

 

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