Convention On Biological Diversity Research Articles

Aligning regional and international biodiversity conventions to benefit butterfly conservation in Africa: A review

African butterflies play vital ecological roles but face numerous threats. Their protection requires aligning biodiversity conventions with butterfly-specific conservation goals. This review examines how to optimize regional and international conventions for enhanced African butterfly conservation. Through systematic assessment of relevant conventions, their provisions, success stories, and implementation effectiveness, I identify strategies to strengthen conservation outcomes. A comprehensive search of academic databases and official convention resources, using rigorous selection criteria, revealed that international frameworks support butterfly conservation through diverse mechanisms. The Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) provides a foundational framework for biodiversity protection, including population monitoring and conservation. The African Convention on the Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (ACCNNR) supports butterfly conservation indirectly through sustainable resource use and habitat protection. While climate change remains a significant threat, the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) offers mitigation tools. The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) regulates butterfly trade, with potential for greater impact through expanded species coverage and aligned strategies. The Ramsar Convention’s wetland focus benefits butterflies when butterfly species are recognized as bioindicators in site management plans, while the World Heritage Convention protects critical habitats. Collectively, these conventions advance butterfly conservation through habitat protection, sustainable practices, awareness-raising, and international cooperation. However, their effectiveness is constrained by resource limitations and data deficiencies. To address these challenges, three key recommendations are proposed: (1) integrating butterfly-specific targets into national biodiversity strategies, (2) strengthening research capacity and enforcement mechanisms, and (3) creating a Pan-African conservation network for coordinated regional action. Additionally, promoting the use of butterflies as bioindicators in climate and land-use policies would simultaneously enhance conservation efforts and support broader ecosystem protection objectives.

Negotiating marine protected areas across knowledge systems: multilateral boundary work in practice

Abstract Ecologically or biologically significant marine areas (EBSAs) are scientific labels for marine areas that need protection. This designation encourages the establishment of marine protected areas but lacks enforcement measures. EBSAs are defined by experts who use both Indigenous and local knowledge (ILK) and science at regional workshops hosted by the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD). They have caused dissent between states at CBD negotiations, almost stalling the whole EBSA process. Scholars have not yet studied how experts actually define EBSAs, although this is needed to untangle collaboration and competition practices that shape international marine biodiversity protection. To fill this gap, our research follows a constructivist and cognitivist perspective in International Relations and applies the concepts of ‘boundary work’ and ‘boundary objects’, together with insights from practice theories, to study the EBSA process and its outcome. We introduce the concept of ‘composite’ boundary objects, which mainly facilitate collaboration on some sites, while triggering competition on other sites. We draw on evidence from four regional workshops and interviews to reconstruct on-site boundary practices as performed by experts. Despite their collective efforts towards collaboration at regional workshops, competing interests are deeply embedded in the EBSA process, hindering the protection of marine biodiversity, the integration of science and ILK, and environmental justice.

To increase or not to increase? The impact of terrestrial protected areas on tree cover and the risk of species extinction.

To increase or not to increase? The impact of terrestrial protected areas on tree cover and the risk of species extinction.

A Comparative Study on South Korea’s Response to the UN Climate Change Convention and the Biodiversity Convention

Climate change and biodiversity loss are intricately linked, and as the severity of these challenges intensifies, the need for a cohesive international response has become increasingly evident. Since 1992, South Korea has developed relevant legal and institutional frameworks; however, its initiatives addressing biodiversity loss have received less recognition and prioritization compared to its efforts concerning climate change. In this context, this study aims to analyze the disparities in South Korea’s policy responses to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), while proposing an integrated policy direction. To achieve this, the study compares key policies related to both conventions by utilizing the OECD’s Policy Coherence for Sustainable Development (PCSD) indicators and evaluation criteria derived from previous research. Furthermore, the analysis incorporates variables identified in earlier studies, including legal enforceability, economic incentives, financial support, and industry participation, to enhance the depth of the analysis. Additionally, a review of international best practices was conducted to extract actionable insights for policy enhancement. The analysis reveals several challenges in biodiversity policies, including fragmented governance systems, low policy prioritization, weakened policy momentum, imbalanced financial support, and limited corporate awareness. Moreover, difficulties in quantitative evaluation hinder the verification of policy effectiveness due to the complex nature of biodiversity goals. This research aims to assess South Korea's responsiveness in accordance with the integrated approach promoted by the international community.

Environmental Law Policy in Indonesia: Challenges and Sustainable Justice

Abstract Environmental legal policy is a legal framework that aims to protect and manage the environment to ensure the sustainability of natural resources and the quality of human life. This policy includes various legal instruments, such as laws, government regulations, and regional regulations, which are designed to regulate human activities that have an impact on the environment. Through a preventive approach and strict law enforcement, environmental legal policy seeks to reduce pollution, protect biodiversity, and promote the sustainable use of natural resources. In Indonesia, environmental legal policy is also influenced by developments in international law, such as the global climate agreement and the biodiversity convention that Indonesia has ratified. The research method used is normative legal research. That in international regulations requires countries to strengthen the regulation and implementation of environmental policies at the national and local levels. However, challenges in law enforcement, low public awareness, and conflicts of interest between economic development and environmental conservation, often become obstacles to the effectiveness of this policy. Therefore, synergy is needed between the government, society, and the private sector in optimizing the implementation of fair and sustainable environmental legal policies.

Ambitions in national plans do not yet match bold international protection and restoration commitments.

Almost 200 nations have made bold commitments to halt biodiversity loss as signatories to the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF). The effective achievement of the GBF relies on domestic targets and actions, reflected in National Biodiversity Strategies and Action Plans (NBSAPs). NBSAPS are an integral feature of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) framework and signatory nations were requested to submit revised NBSAPs before the 16th Conference of the Parties (COP-16) incorporating the GBF goals and targets. Here we review NBSAPs of the 36 nations that submitted before COP-16 and assess their commitments to implementing target 2 (the 30% restoration target) and target 3 (the 30 × 30 protection target). By first breaking these targets into their constituent elements and assessing the detailed wording of each NBSAP we discover that no nation has created a plan that meets all the requirements-and overall ambitions-of these two targets. With 5 years remaining until the intended realization of the GBF, countries will need to increase both their ambition and action if the biodiversity crisis of the Earth is to be abated.

Promoting Private Conservation in Patra Seroja Ecopark, Dumai Municipality, Riau Province, Indonesia

This paper documents the voluntary conservation practices in Patra Seroja Ecopark Forest by Indonesia’s state-owned oil and gas company, Pertamina Ltd. - Refinery Unit II Dumai, Province of Riau, west coast of Sumatera Island. The company voluntarily allocated, financed, and managed 102 hectares of land in their private area to conserve and protect its in-situ biodiversity and preserve environmental service as a secondary objective. The results of studies and assessments carried out, the management application has fulfilled the Privately Protected Area (PPA) management criteria by IUCN regarding the orientation, biodiversity, management model, and utilization. However, PPA is not recognized legally as an addition to traditionally government-led governance of conservation forests in Indonesia: KSA (Nature Reserve Area), KPA (Nature Conservation Area), TB (Hunting Park) model. Considering the potential width of Privately Protected Area application in Indonesia to support national target achievement on Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) and Aichi 11 Target and fostering the voluntary initiatives by private in conserving biodiversity, the state may recognize the practices and initiate the legal instrument for PPA application in Indonesia.

Unpacking policy developments in marine natural product research: a scientist's guide to DSI and BBNJ.

Covering: 2014 up to February 2025Since the Nagoya Protocol came into force in 2014, scientists working with genetic resources have integrated compliance with Access and Benefit-Sharing (ABS) legislation at international and national levels into their research practices. However, two key gaps left by the Nagoya Protocol are being addressed, introducing new obligations for marine natural product scientists: under the auspices of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), a compromise agreement was reached in November 2024 that regulates the use of Digital Sequence Information (DSI) on Genetic Resources. Within the next few years, the 2023 Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ) Agreement is expected to take effect. This treaty covers the access to and use of marine biodiversity of areas beyond national jurisdiction for research and development. In a time when genetic research and marine biodiversity are key to scientific advancement, these evolving policies affect how genetic information is stored, shared, and used, raising emerging questions for the scientific community about their direct impact and the complexities of compliance. Despite continuous developments and scientific community involvement, there remains a notable gap in communication between policy changes and their accessible dissemination to researchers. Addressing this gap is crucial for the continuation of research and the effective use of relevant resources. The main goal of this viewpoint article is to provide a concise guide to recent policy developments relevant to natural product researchers that should be incorporated and harmonized into ongoing scientific activities.

The Balance of Protecting Genetic Conservation and Legal Ownership: A Perspective Through Wildlife DNA

This research investigates the complex relationship between genetic conservation and legal ownership of wildlife DNA, which is a key issue at the nexus of biodiversity conservation, intellectual property rights, and ethical governance. Wildlife DNA is extremely valuable for conservation biology, allowing attempts to restore genetic variety, improve endangered populations, and better understand ecological dynamics. However, the legal framework protecting wildlife DNA is complex, with overlapping national and international restrictions such as the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), the Nagoya Protocol, and the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES). These frameworks seek to resolve access, ownership, and benefit-sharing issues surrounding genetic resources, but they frequently leave ambiguities that jeopardize both conservation efforts and indigenous rights.

Assessing the impact of strictly protecting 30%–50% of global land on carbon dynamics in natural and agricultural ecosystems

Societal Impact StatementStrictly protected areas for nature conservation are a key policy to benefit biodiversity and climate change mitigation since reduced deforestation and ecosystem restoration enhance carbon stocks. However, there is controversy regarding their potential societal impacts, such as competition for land and food security. Here, we investigate the implications of protecting 30% and 50% of the global ice‐free land surface on the spatiotemporal dynamics of ecosystem carbon uptake and losses, agricultural land use and synergies with food production. The study provides insights into the role of protected areas on the global terrestrial carbon store, contributing to climate change mitigation and biodiversity conservation efforts.Summary Agriculture and forestry use around half of the global ice‐free land and are major drivers of biodiversity loss. For this reason, the post‐2020 Global Biodiversity Framework of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) targets at least 30% of protected global land by 2030. This study evaluates the impacts of different land‐use change scenarios on the storage of carbon in terrestrial ecosystems and trade‐offs and synergies in the global food production system by comparing a reference scenario with no additional protected area expansion targets and two scenarios with strict area‐based protection targets of 30% and 50% of the ice‐free land surface. A net global gain in carbon storage up to 110 PgC was projected for 2056–2060 in the protection scenarios compared to the reference scenario (equivalent to around 10 years of current global anthropogenic C emissions). However, regional disparities in carbon storage are large and include carbon losses in areas identified as having—at least on a decadal perspective—‘irrecoverable’ carbon. In the protection scenarios, cropland expansion in some regions is accompanied by intensification of production with an increase of up to 8% in the use of N fertiliser, which may lead to pollution and additional greenhouse gas emissions.

Ecologically and Biologically Significant Marine Protected Areas in the Caspian Sea: A Review

This paper provides a brief review of the ecologically and biologically significant marine protected areas in the Caspian Sea. As a result of the collaboration between the Tehran Convention and the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) the Regional Workshop to Facilitate the Description of Ecologically or Biologically Significant Marine Areas (EBSAs) in the Black Sea and the Caspian Sea took place from 25 to 29 April 2017 in Baku (Azerbaijan). The Regional Workshop compiled a list of areas in the above seas that meet the EBSA criteria with corresponding detailed description of each areas based on scientific information available at that time. We provide a brief information on each of these 16 EBSAs in the Caspian Sea in accordance with their descriptions. We discuss different definitions of specially protected areas given by different international organizations, as well as the fact that the EBSA is not a marine protected area by a definition. We discuss a possible evolution and transformation of the Caspian EBSAs in the modern period in connection with the continuing fall in the Caspian Sea level.

International Legal Framework for Traditional Knowledge and Intellectual Property Rights

Traditional knowledge held by indigenous and local communities has important cultural and ecological value. International legal frameworks have been developed to protect and manage this knowledge in a fair and sustainable manner. Legal instruments such as the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) and the Nagoya Protocol regulate access to genetic resources and promote the equitable sharing of benefits among communities holding traditional knowledge. However, implementation at the national level is faced with challenges such as harmonization with complex national laws and limited resources. Case studies demonstrate the various strategies used by countries to improve legal protection, including strengthening national legal frameworks and active participation of indigenous communities in decision-making. With joint efforts, it is hoped that this legal framework will ensure that traditional knowledge is well preserved for future generations, while providing equitable benefits to the communities that own it.

Seeds and farmers' rights as drivers of change on food systems

In the heart of Kenya's vibrant agricultural landscape lies a fundamental aspect crucial for food security, cultural heritage, and economic resilience: the right to seed. Embedded within the fabric of traditional farming practices, the right to seed encompasses the freedom of farmers to save, exchange, and utilize traditional and farmer-bred seeds. In Kenya, as in many other countries, this right is not only a legal concept but a cornerstone of agricultural sovereignty. However, its preservation faces challenges in the face of globalization, corporate interests, and evolving intellectual property regimes. Yet, amidst these challenges, significant strides are being made, with collaborative efforts at the global level, particularly through initiatives led by the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) and the International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture (ITPGRFA), aimed at promoting and protecting farmers' rights. Every smallholder farmer has the right to safe, nutritious and healthy food and the ability to sustain themselves and their societies with the existing endorsed resources. The concept of farmers’ rights came out as a subject of debate in international agricultural circles, spearheaded by the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO). This includes the right to save, use, exchange and sell farm-saved seed and propagating materials, the right to protect traditional knowledge among others. In developing countries, the right to seed is a fundamental aspect of agricultural sovereignty and food security. This still emulates the subject debate from FAO. However, attention in scientific literature and policy circles for both seeds and farmers’ rights are compromised. This paper employs mediation analysis to explore the causal relationship between seed rights, farmers' rights, and food sovereignty, highlighting the pivotal role of smallholder farmers in shaping sustainable food systems. The findings underscore the importance of inclusive policies that prioritize farmers' rights and empower local communities to sustainably manage their seed resources. Key words: Farmer-managed seeds, seed banks, Access, smallholder farmers and benefit-sharing

Bio-Based Innovation and the Global Patent System: Exploring the WIPO Treaty on Intellectual Property, Genetic Resources and Associated Traditional Knowledge

Abstract This opinion critically examines the 2024 WIPO Treaty on Intellectual Property, Genetic Resources and Associated Traditional Knowledge, a new instrument addressing the use of genetic resources (GR), and traditional knowledge associated with GR (ATK) in the global patent system. Given the Treaty’s position at the intersection of intellectual property and environmental law, this article discusses its history and negotiation in the first part, including the Treaty’s links to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) and the Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS). It then discusses the concept of bio-based innovation and its role in the bioeconomy. Following this, the article assesses the Treaty’s contents, including its context and objectives, scope, the Patent Disclosure Requirement (PDR), sanctions and remedies for non-compliance with the PDR, information systems on GR and ATK, and its relationship with other international instruments. The article highlights the extensive diplomatic negotiations that shaped the final text and considers potential amendments that could be made during the Treaty’s review process. The Treaty is intended to improve the global patent system’s effectiveness, transparency, and quality concerning GR and ATK and to prevent Offices from granting patents erroneously. Its provisions present new challenges and complexities for stakeholders, and its long-term success will depend on ongoing international collaboration and engagement, both within and outside the Treaty’s framework, and ensuring equitable benefit-sharing from the use of GR and ATK as part of a global sustainable bioeconomy.

Brazil's implementation of access and benefit-sharing and the Nagoya Protocol: Analyzing some trends and positions in the ongoing debate

Access and benefit-sharing (ABS) arising from the utilization of biodiversity’s genetic resources and traditional knowledge is the third objective of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD). Since its inception, some parties to the CBD have enacted ABS-national legislation and in 2014, the Nagoya Protocol came into force, providing a global standard among ABS systems. Given this, Brazil has been working to implement ABS since 2001, especially after the enactment of the national Biodiversity Law (Law 13.123/2015), which is the domestic law for the Nagoya Protocol implementation. This paper examines how the implementation of ABS and the Nagoya Protocol is viewed, discussed and debated by some stakeholders. Based on qualitative semi-structured interviews, press releases, public declarations, legislation and grey literature, the paper reveals that although ABS has faced strong criticism and delivered modest results, most stakeholders consider it strategic and important, especially in the face of the bioeconomy–biodiversity nexus. In general, positions on the implementation of ABS policies and the Nagoya Protocol in Brazil can be devised in the following categories: 1) acceptance and optimistic appreciation of ABS, 2) acceptance of ABS mechanisms but impending need for adjustments, 3) acceptance of ABS mechanisms as a ‘bad with it, worse without it’ scenario, and 4) rejection of ABS. Our research also shows that when it comes to ABS and providers of genetic resources, debates centred on the topic of biopiracy have declined, while debates characterized by compromise, institutionalization and the steering of ABS via the implementation process are on the rise.

Preserving earth’s flora in the 21st century: climate, biodiversity, and global change factors since the mid-1940s

Climate change and biodiversity conservation are two of the most urgent challenges of the twenty-first century. Current global climate models indicate that climate-related events will continue to increase in frequency and intensity, leading to severe impacts on ecosystems, particularly plant diversity. Despite the 2015 Paris Agreement, efforts to limit global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius and secure adequate climate financing remain unsatisfactory. In addition, the National Biodiversity Strategic Action Plans (NBSAPs), a core mechanism of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), have faced issues in implementation at the national level. Many NBSAPs lack clear and measurable biodiversity targets, which limits their effectiveness. This review presents a comprehensive analysis of these urgent issues, highlighting the significant challenges and deficiencies in current climate and biodiversity conservation policies. It evaluates the effectiveness of the Kew conservation strategy as a model for protecting and conserving plant diversity. Furthermore, this review underscores the pivotal role of plant tissue culture (PTC) technology in achieving plant conservation targets within the post-2020 global biodiversity framework. This review strongly supports the post-2020 global biodiversity framework and the integration of PTC into global plant conservation strategies to meet the ambitious 30-by-30 targets. This review also advocates for the establishment of the Kew-Wide Mechanism (KWM) to bolster climate resilience, reduce anthropogenic impacts on plant diversity, revitalize global conservation efforts, and accelerate ecosystem restoration in the face of ongoing climate change. Proposed as a comprehensive approach to plant conservation, the KWM offers a strategic, innovative, and scalable solution as the global economy transitions toward decarbonization.

Rapid evaluation of habitat connectivity change to safeguard multispecies persistence in human-transformed landscapes

Following the adoption of the Post-2020 Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (KM-GBF) of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) there is a clear science-policy need to protect habitat connectivity and track its change over time to safeguard biodiversity and inform conservation planning. In response to this need we describe an analytical, multi-indicator and multispecies approach for the rapid assessment of habitat connectivity at fine spatial grain and at the extent of an entire ecoregion. Out of 68 connectivity indicators we found through a literature review, we identified a key-set of six indicators that align with the Essential Biodiversity Variables framework and are suitable to guide rapid action for connectivity and conservation targets in the KM-GBF. Using these selected indicators, we mapped and evaluated connectivity change from 2011 to 2021 across the ecoregion of the St-Lawrence Lowlands in Quebec (~ 30,000 km2) for seven ecoprofile species representing regional forest habitat needs. For most of these species, trends over the last decade indicate a decline in effective connected area and metapopulation carrying capacity, via a division of large contiguous habitat into smaller fragments, whereas on average, habitat area slightly increased. These results highlight that temporal changes in habitat area and connectivity are not necessarily correlated and the urgent need to conserve and restore connectivity to meet targets under the KM-GBF. We provide an R-tool to support our general approach, which enables a comprehensive evaluation of connectivity for regional spatial planning for biodiversity in regions with moderate to high human disturbance.

A summary framework for effective engagement of IPLCs and rangers

In this paper we focus on the pressing need to effectively engage with Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities (IPLCs) and the need to strengthen the capacity of rangers originating from these communities. Opportunities for full participation and leadership by IPLCs are improved by enhancing the role of Indigenous and local rangers in fostering relationships while integrating cultural knowledge into the work on the ground. This also strengthens local benefits. We emphasize the invaluable contribution of IPLCs to conservation, often honed over generations, and explore current models of partnership and engagement. Particularly, we spotlight the vital role of IPLC rangers, who leverage unique skills, local knowledge, and cultural practices in their conservation work. The roles of both IPLCs and local Indigenous rangers are essential if we are to meet our goals for conserving 30% of the earth’s lands and waters by 2030 as promoted at the COP15 meeting of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), achieve the objectives for development of IPLC rangers as stated of Chitwan Declaration of 2019 (CD), or meet the related targets set by the Universal Ranger Support Alliance (URSA). We advocate for a partnership model with IPLCs that applies the principles of Collective Impact to improve outcomes and secure enduring benefits at all levels. To aid stakeholders in conservation projects involving IPLCs (including governments, businesses, and non-governmental organizations), we propose a straightforward summary framework that outlines stages for the development of relationships and projects. It integrates the work of others, including foundation principles, management systems for partnerships, and good practices, and stresses the need for pre-project training, learning and other forms of preparation. Altogether, these principles and accompanying recommendations help lay the groundwork for effective intergenerational projects involving IPLCs with long-term benefits.

Historical and relative dominance of the convention on biological diversity agenda: a case analysis of decisions and recommendations

In contrast to the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) and the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) gives developing countries greater bargaining power owing to their abundant natural resources. CBD negotiations tend to be increasingly dominated by agendas related to the CBD’s third objective: benefit sharing. The first and core objective of CBD is biodiversity conservation, but it is often neglected in favor of benefit sharing. To verify this tendency, this study used topic modeling to analyze the recommendations of the subsidiary bodies and decisions made by the Conference of the Parties (COP) over the past 30 years. The study identified the ten most frequently discussed agenda, then determined the relative dominant agenda between the COP and subsidiary bodies. By categorizing the negotiation agendas into strategic decision agendas and operational conservation agendas based on the level of the meeting which the agenda dominated, this study offers a new framework that can be used to understand how strategic and operational factors interact in CBD negotiations. The findings show that biodiversity conservation, the first objective of CBD, is no longer dominant, at least during negotiations. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first comprehensive investigation of all documents generated during CBD negotiations since its inception.

Impact of Urban Lighting on Insects: A Legal Perspective on Environmental Concerns

Light pollution, a result of excessive and improperly directed artificial lighting, has become a major environmental issue that affects a wide range of habitats. The spread of industrialization and urbanisation leads to an increase in artificial light's incursion into natural habitats, which modifies the behaviours and ecological dynamics of creatures. Insects are so important to the functioning of ecosystems, the impacts of Artificial Light at Night on insect populations have received a lot of attention. Recognising the urgent need to address the adverse impacts of light pollution on vital insect populations, this study aims to explore the effect of artificial light on insect mortality. Every morning, dead insects were gathered. The insects were drawn to the light source that was circling it during the experiment, but they eventually lost their path and perished tragically. Increased insect mortality throws off feeding chains, pollination, nutrient cycles, and other crucial ecological activities. In order to prevent light pollution from having a negative influence on these vital insect populations, conservation methods must be specifically targeted. The increasing urban lighting exacerbates light pollution, significantly impacting insect populations. This paper examines the ecological consequences and the role of environmental law in mitigating these effects, advocating for stricter regulations and sustainable lighting practices to preserve biodiversity and ecological balance. Key international environmental laws addressing light pollution include the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) and the European Union's directives on environmental protection. These laws emphasize the need for sustainable urban lighting practices to protect biodiversity and mitigate the adverse effects on insect populations.