On 12 July, 2021, the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) released the first detailed draft of the post-2020 biodiversity framework, a document which is set to shape the world’s approach to biodiversity conservation over the next 30 years.
Sustainable use is set to play a significant role in the new framework, a fact which reflects the socio-economic and biological benefits associated with sustainable wildlife management.
The CBD is an international treaty, signed by 196 parties, which looks to guide party members’ approach to biodiversity conservation, sustainable use and the equitable sharing of benefits derived from genetic resources. The post-2020 biodiversity framework, which has been under development during the last two years, sets out goals and targets that will shape governmental policy related to these factors for the next three decades.
The draft framework clearly emphasises the importance of sustainable use for our future, as it makes up a large portion of the new 2050 Goals and 2030 Action Targets set by the CBD.
With regard to the CBD’s 2050 Goals, the principles of sustainable use are included in two of the four goals listed in the draft document, namely:
Goal B: “Nature’s contributions to people are valued, maintained or enhanced through conservation and sustainable use supporting the global development agenda for the benefit of all.”
Goal C: “The benefits from the utilization of genetic resources are shared fairly and equitably, with a substantial increase in both monetary and non-monetary benefits shared, including for the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity.”
These goals not only look to ensure that sustainable use will play an integrated part in nature-oriented solutions to sustainable development, they ensure that adequate funding and benefits will be provided for both sustainable use and people going forward as well.
Sustainable use is also a central component of five of the twenty-one 2030 Action Targets (targets for urgent action over the decade to 2030), which are part of the sub-section: “Meeting people’s needs through sustainable use and benefit-sharing.”
Here, CBD has placed emphasis on the need to protect and ensure the various benefits generated by sustainable use for vulnerable people. Indigenous peoples and local communities (IPLCs) are included as a key part of this section, with particular mention given to the importance of customary sustainable use carried out by IPLCs and the value associated with their traditional knowledge.
Access to green and blue spaces, as well as the need to ensure the equitable sharing of benefits derived from the use of genetic resources, make up the rest of the sustainable use-oriented action targets.
The draft framework is set to undergo further refinement during online negotiations in late summer 2021 before being presented for consideration at CBD’s next meeting of its 196 Parties at COP-15, in Kunming, China.
The CIC congratulates CBD parties and all those that have contributed thus far to the creation of the draft post-2020 biodiversity framework. In light of the biological and developmental issues currently at play in the world, it is vital that the guidance and policies of multilateral agreements and conventions such as this post-2020 framework emphasise the importance and multifaceted benefits of the sustainable, fair and equitable utilisation of genetic resources.
