🌿 CBD — Convention on Biological Diversity (1992)

• Adopted at the Earth Summit, Rio, 1992; entered into force 29 December 1993
• 196 parties; Secretariat: Montreal, Canada
• Three objectives:
  • Conservation of biological diversity
  • Sustainable use of its components
  • Fair and equitable sharing of benefits arising from the use of genetic resources (ABS — Access and Benefit Sharing)
• USA has signed but not ratified the CBD
• India ratified CBD in 1994; enacted the Biological Diversity Act, 2002 to implement CBD
• COP of CBD meets every 2 years

🧬 Nagoya Protocol (2010)

• Adopted at CBD COP10, Nagoya, Japan, 2010; entered into force 2014
• Full name: Nagoya Protocol on Access to Genetic Resources and the Fair and Equitable Sharing of Benefits Arising from their Utilisation
• Implements the third objective of CBD — Access and Benefit Sharing (ABS)
• Requires Prior Informed Consent (PIC) from the country of origin before accessing genetic resources
• Requires Mutually Agreed Terms (MAT) for benefit sharing
• Prevents biopiracy — unauthorised use of genetic resources and traditional knowledge
• India’s implementation: Biological Diversity Act 2002 + National Biodiversity Authority (NBA) + State Biodiversity Boards (SBBs) + Biodiversity Management Committees (BMCs)

🧫 Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety (2000)

• Adopted in Montreal, Canada, 2000; entered into force 2003
• A protocol under CBD dealing with Living Modified Organisms (LMOs) — also called GMOs (Genetically Modified Organisms)
• Aims to ensure safe transfer, handling, and use of LMOs that may have adverse effects on biodiversity and human health
• Establishes the Biosafety Clearing-House (BCH) — information exchange mechanism
• Requires Advance Informed Agreement (AIA) before importing LMOs for intentional introduction into the environment
• Applies the precautionary principle — lack of scientific certainty should not prevent precautionary measures
• India ratified in 2003; Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee (GEAC) under MoEFCC regulates GMOs

🦁 CITES (1973)

• Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora
• Adopted: Washington DC, 1973; entered into force 1975; Secretariat: Geneva, Switzerland
• 183 parties; regulates international trade in wildlife to prevent overexploitation
• Three appendices:
  • Appendix I — most endangered species; commercial trade banned (e.g., tigers, elephants, rhinos, great apes)
  • Appendix II — not necessarily threatened but trade must be controlled; permits required (e.g., many orchids, sharks, seahorses)
  • Appendix III — species protected in at least one country; that country requests CITES cooperation
• India implements CITES through the Wildlife Protection Act 1972
• CITES CoP meets every 3 years

🦅 Bonn Convention (CMS, 1979)

• Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS) — also called the Bonn Convention
• Adopted: Bonn, Germany, 1979; entered into force 1983; Secretariat: Bonn, Germany
• Aims to conserve terrestrial, aquatic, and avian migratory species throughout their range
• Two appendices:
  • Appendix I — endangered migratory species; strict protection required
  • Appendix II — migratory species with unfavourable conservation status; agreements encouraged
• India is a party; important for protecting migratory birds (flamingos, Amur falcons, bar-headed geese) and marine species (whale sharks, sea turtles)

🌍 Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (2022)

• Adopted at CBD COP15, Montreal, Canada, December 2022
• Successor to the Aichi Biodiversity Targets (2010–2020)
• Key target: 30×30 — protect at least 30% of land and 30% of oceans by 2030
• 23 targets for 2030; 4 goals for 2050
• Goal: halt and reverse biodiversity loss by 2030; live in harmony with nature by 2050
• Finance: mobilise at least $200 billion/year for biodiversity by 2030; $30 billion/year from developed to developing countries

✅ Revision Checklist — Biodiversity Conventions