OVERVIEW OF BIODIVERSITY ACTIVITIES: CBD to COP 12 and Beyond

22 January 2014

Braulio F. de Souza Dias Executive Secretary Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity

PRESENTATION OUTLINE
Biodiversity Definitions and Concerns The Value of Biodiversity What the CBD is Doing

Aichi Targets and NBSAPs

The Nagoya Protocol CBD and the SDGs

WHAT IS BIODIVERSITY?
The Convention on Biological Diversity defines biodiversity as follows:
Biological diversity" means the variability
among living organisms from all sources including, inter alia, terrestrial, marine and other aquatic ecosystems and the ecological complexes of which they are part; this includes diversity within species, between species and of ecosystems.

BIODIVERSITY LOSS

Source: WWF/ZSL

Human pressures increasing the rate of species loss to 1000x the natural background rate
This includes many rare, unknown and keystone species

While an eco-system may appear viable, ongoing loss makes it vulnerable and move it to a tipping point or crash

THE VALUE OF BIODIVERSITY

Ecosystem Services is a concept used to define the value of an ecosystem/biodiversity to human economics

The Economics of Ecosystems and Biodiversity (TEEB) defines it as the direct and indirect contributions of ecosystems to human well-being
Overexploitation is resulting in drastic declines in biodiversity and resultant ecosystem services

THE VALUE OF BIODIVERSITY

Ecosystem services are present in all facets of business and life, but often ignored or undervalued
PROVISIONING

REGULATORY

SOCIAL/CULTURAL

SUPPORTING

SOME EXAMPLES OF ECOSYSTEM SERVICES

Conserving forests avoids greenhouse gas emissions worth US$3.7 trillion Global fisheries underperform by US$50 billion annually

Coral reef ecosystem services support 30 million people

Green products and services worth over US$46 billion Bee keeping generates US$213 million annually in Switzerland Tree planting enhances life quality in Canberra ($20 million benefits)

THE CONVENTION ON BIOLOGICAL DIVERSITY

The CBD is one of the Rio Conventions

Biodiversity (CBD) Climate Change (UNFCCC) Desertification (UNCCD)

Opened for signature on June 5, 1992 Came into force on December 23, 1993 Currently 193 parties to the Convention CBD Secretariat based in Montreal with staff of 100+

STRATEGIC PLAN AND NBSAPs

Parties to the Convention agreed to a Strategic Plan for 2011-2020
The Decade of Biodiversity

Plan includes 20 specific biodiversity targets (Aichi Targets) arranged by 5 strategic goals The Aichi Targets are to be incorporated into National Biodiversity Strategic Action Plans (NBSAPs) The Strategic Plan is a globally accepted overarching framework on biodiversity for the entire United Nations System and other international organisations such as IUCN

ACCESS AND BENEFITS SHARING

The Nagoya Protocol provides a transparent legal framework for the 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

Access to genetic resources

IN EXCHANGE FOR:

Fair and equitable share of the benefits derived from their utilization There are currently 28 Parties that have ratified the Protocol 50 ratifications are necessary for the Protocol to enter into force

SYNERGIES WITH OTHER CONVENTIONS

CBD working with other Rio Conventions

Rio Conventions Pavilion features business day and events
Pavilion is now present at all COP meetings

THE CBD AND THE SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS

MDG framework included the biodiversity target to reduce biodiversity loss, achieving, by 2010, a significant reduction in the rate of loss, under Goal 7 ensuring environmental sustainability The Strategic Plan and Aichi Targets provide a framework for action on biodiversity and sustainable development for all stakeholders Rio+20 moved conversation forwards with significant participation by all stakeholders Critical role of biodiversity recognized in The Future We Want
Reaffirmed the intrinsic value of biological diversity as well as the ecological, genetic, social economic, scientific, educational, cultural, recreational and aesthetic values of biological diversity and its critical role in maintaining ecosystems that provide essential services which are critical foundations for sustainable development and human well-being

THE CBD AND THE SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS

The Sustainable Development Goals will address various aspects of human well-being and be accompanied by targets and indicators

Goals are closely interrelated, the link to biodiversity can be realized at the appropriate level within the SDG process
Biodiversity should be integrated into overarching goals addressing broad concepts (i.e. poverty eradication, green economy, sustainable development) Biodiversity related targets should be integrated into Goals on food security and nutrition, water and health The SDG framework should provide enabling conditions for conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity, and for drivers of biodiversity loss to be addressed

In addition need for a convergent goal, to avoid the "silo" approach, that will help achieve a healthy planet and productive ecosystems for the benefits of all people by developing capabilities of todays societies to act without compromising the rights and needs of future generations

MDGs

SDGs

CBD AND BUSINESS ENGAGEMENT

During COP 10 (Nagoya 2010), parties drafted a business decision calling on Governments and Business to engage on mainstreaming biodiversity concerns into the private sector Parties reaffirmed and strengthened this decision at COP 11 (Hyderabad, 2012) Ongoing programme of work and activities planned for COP 12 (Pyeongchang, Republic of Korea)

THANK YOU
Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity
413 Saint Jacques Street, Suite 800 Montreal, QC, H2Y 1N9, Canada Tel: +1 514 288 2220 Fax: + 1 514 288 6588 Email: secretariat@cbd.int www.cbd.int/business