Why this matters now
CBD is tested for: Rio Earth Summit 1992 (UNCED); 5 June 1992 opening; 3 objectives (conservation + sustainable use + ABS); 2 protocols (Cartagena 2000 + Nagoya 2010); India’s Biological Diversity Act 2002 (operationalises CBD); National Biodiversity Authority (NBA) Chennai; State Biodiversity Boards + Biodiversity Management Committees (BMCs); 2010 Aichi Targets (20 targets for 2020); Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF) adopted COP15 Dec 2022 — 30x30 target (30% land + 30% ocean protected by 2030); India’s NBSAP.
Adoption + Entry into Force
- Negotiated 1989-92 under UNEP guidance.
- 22 May 1992: Text adopted at Nairobi.
- 5 June 1992: Opened for signature at Rio Earth Summit (UN Conference on Environment and Development, UNCED). 150+ countries signed.
- 29 December 1993: Entered into force (90 days after 30th ratification).
- 22 May: International Day for Biological Diversity (UN designated).
- USA signed 1993 under Clinton but Senate never ratified.
- Vatican + Holy See not party.
Three Objectives + Key Articles
- Conservation of Biological Diversity: in-situ (protected areas, species recovery) + ex-situ (gene banks, botanic gardens, zoos).
- Sustainable Use of biodiversity components.
- Fair and Equitable Sharing of benefits from genetic resources (ABS — Access and Benefit Sharing).
Key Articles:
- Art 6: National Biodiversity Strategies and Action Plans (NBSAPs).
- Art 8(j): respect, preserve traditional knowledge of indigenous + local communities.
- Art 15: sovereign right of states over genetic resources; Prior Informed Consent (PIC); Mutually Agreed Terms (MAT).
- Art 16: access to + transfer of technology.
- Art 19: handling of biotechnology — basis for Cartagena Protocol.
- Art 20-21: financial resources + mechanism. Global Environment Facility (GEF) = financial mechanism.
Cartagena + Nagoya Protocols
- Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety (2000): governs trans-boundary movement of Living Modified Organisms (LMOs/GMOs). In force 11 Sept 2003. India ratified 17 Jan 2003. Advance Informed Agreement procedure.
- Nagoya Protocol on Access and Benefit Sharing (2010): legal framework for ABS implementation of Art 15. In force 12 Oct 2014. India ratified 9 Oct 2012. Operationalises Prior Informed Consent (PIC) + Mutually Agreed Terms (MAT).
- Nagoya-Kuala Lumpur Supplementary Protocol on Liability and Redress (2010) — under Cartagena Protocol. In force 5 March 2018.
Aichi → Kunming-Montreal GBF
Aichi Biodiversity Targets (2010, COP10 Nagoya): 20 targets for 2011-20. Strategic Plan for Biodiversity 2011-2020. Almost ALL targets missed at 2020 deadline (only 6 partially met).
Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF):
- Adopted 19 December 2022 at CBD COP15 (China presidency, hosted Montreal due to COVID delay).
- 23 action targets + 4 long-term goals for 2050.
- Target 3: “30x30” — effectively conserve 30% of land + 30% of oceans by 2030.
- Target 7: halve global pesticide + nutrient pollution.
- Target 10: sustainable agriculture + aquaculture.
- Target 18: subsidies harmful to biodiversity reduced by $500 bn/yr by 2030.
- Target 19: mobilise $200 bn/yr by 2030 (incl $30 bn/yr from developed to developing).
- New funding mechanism: Global Biodiversity Framework Fund (GBFF) launched Aug 2023 under GEF.
India’s Updated NBSAP launched 30 July 2024 alongside CoP16 Cali 2024.
UPSC angle
Know CBD — Convention on Biological Diversity opened Rio Earth Summit (UNCED) 5 JUNE 1992, IN FORCE 29 DEC 1993, 196 parties USA signed not ratified Senate; text adopted 22 May 1992 Nairobi (22 May INTERNATIONAL DAY BIOLOGICAL DIVERSITY); 3 OBJECTIVES: CONSERVATION in-situ+ex-situ, SUSTAINABLE USE, FAIR & EQUITABLE BENEFIT SHARING (ABS Access & Benefit Sharing); KEY ARTICLES: ART 6 NBSAPs National Biodiversity Strategies+Action Plans, ART 8(j) traditional knowledge indigenous+local, ART 15 sovereign right genetic resources + PIC Prior Informed Consent + MAT Mutually Agreed Terms, ART 16 technology transfer, ART 19 biotechnology handling = basis Cartagena, ART 20-21 financial GEF Global Environment Facility = financial mechanism; PROTOCOLS: CARTAGENA PROTOCOL ON BIOSAFETY 2000 LMO/GMO trans-boundary, in force 11 Sept 2003, India ratified 17 Jan 2003, Advance Informed Agreement; NAGOYA PROTOCOL ON ACCESS & BENEFIT SHARING 2010 legal framework Art 15, in force 12 Oct 2014, India ratified 9 Oct 2012, PIC+MAT; NAGOYA-KUALA LUMPUR SUPPLEMENTARY PROTOCOL Liability Redress 2010 under Cartagena in force 5 March 2018; AICHI BIODIVERSITY TARGETS COP10 NAGOYA 2010 20 targets 2011-20 Strategic Plan, almost ALL MISSED at 2020 (only 6 partially); KUNMING-MONTREAL GLOBAL BIODIVERSITY FRAMEWORK (GBF) adopted 19 DEC 2022 COP15 (China presidency hosted Montreal COVID delay), 23 ACTION TARGETS + 4 long-term goals 2050; TARGET 3 “30X30” protect 30% LAND + 30% OCEANS BY 2030; Target 7 halve pesticide+nutrient, Target 10 sustainable agri+aqua, Target 18 reduce harmful subsidies $500 bn/yr, Target 19 mobilise $200 bn/yr (incl $30 bn/yr developed→developing); GLOBAL BIODIVERSITY FRAMEWORK FUND (GBFF) Aug 2023 under GEF; India BIOLOGICAL DIVERSITY ACT 2002 + National Biodiversity Authority (NBA) Chennai + State Biodiversity Boards + BMCs Biodiversity Management Committees; India UPDATED NBSAP 30 July 2024 at COP16 Cali 2024.
Frequently asked questions
When was CBD opened?
At the Rio Earth Summit on 5 June 1992. Text adopted earlier 22 May 1992 at Nairobi (22 May is International Day for Biological Diversity). Entered into force 29 December 1993.
What are the 3 objectives of CBD?
(1) Conservation of biological diversity; (2) Sustainable use of components; (3) Fair and equitable sharing of benefits from genetic resources (ABS).
What is the 30x30 target?
Target 3 of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework adopted December 2022: effectively conserve 30% of land + 30% of oceans by 2030.
How does India implement CBD?
Via the Biological Diversity Act 2002 + National Biodiversity Authority (NBA) at Chennai + State Biodiversity Boards + Biodiversity Management Committees (BMCs). Updated NBSAP launched 30 July 2024.