TRAFFIC

Relevant areas of TRAFFIC’s programme

TRAFFIC’s programme is designed to address specific issues related to the CBD, in particular in relation to the Aichi Biodiversity Targets

Over-exploitation of wild animals and plants for trade is the second biggest threat to biodiversity after habitat destruction. It also threatens the livelihoods of people who depend on wild resources, particularly the rural poor. TRAFFIC’s programme is designed to address such issues, in line with achieving the aims of the Aichi Biodiversity Targets.

 

People worldwide rely on wild plant species as a source of food, income, medicine, construction materials, ornamentation and other products. TRAFFIC has provided input to the CBD’s Global Strategy for Plant Conservation (GPSC) and also helped develop the FairWild Standard to support efforts to ensure wild plants are managed, harvested and traded sustainably.

Worldwide many people, often the rural poor, rely on wild gamemeat as a vital source of nourishment. TRAFFIC has provided input into the CBD’s Liaison Group on Bushmeat, which aims to ensure fair and equitable access to wild meat resources, while also securing the sustainability of such supplies—to benefit people and protect biodiversity. Through our work we have supported Parties to concur on the adoption CBD Decision XI/25 at CoP11 in Hyderabad, India, on the “Sustainable Use of Biodiversity: Bushmeat and Sustainable Wildlife Management” and the therein integrated ‘Revised Recommendations of the CBD Liaison Group on Bushmeat’.

In TRAFFIC’s efforts to support achievement of Aichi Biodiversity Target 12, TRAFFIC places specific focus on reducing trade in “flagship species” categorized as threatened” by IUCN that are at risk from trade. Wider focus is on reducing trade in species categorised as threatened on the IUCN Red List and species in decline that are likely qualify for threatened status if actions are not taken to address trade concerns. TRAFFIC is also embarking upon a wide-ranging programme of work focussed on wildlife crime, particularly in the sphere of anti-trafficking and legislative and policy reform, in order to reduce its impact on populations of endangered species in the wild. TRAFFIC has also joined the “Friends of Target 12” partnership to assist countries in their efforts to achieve Target 12—which aims to prevent further extinctions of threatened species and improve the conservation status of those disappearing most rapidly.

In the field of applied taxonomy, still more capacity building is needed for field identification of flora and fauna to support conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity. TRAFFIC has produced a number of species identification sheets and run workshops to support capacity building measures, and has built up a significant body of expertise and knowledge on this issue. TRAFFIC warmly welcomes the Revised Draft Capacity–Building Strategy for the Global Taxonomy Initiative (GTI) that stemmed from SBSTTA-15 & SBSTTA-16. Subsequently, TRAFFIC has supported Parties to concur on the adoption CBD Decision XI/29 at CoP11 in Hyderabad, India, on the ‘Capacity-building Strategy for the Global Taxonomy Initiative.’

TRAFFIC has also contributed to the Global Biodiversity Outlook, and is a partner of the Biodiversity Indicators Partnership (BIP), a global initiative to further develop and promote indicators for the consistent monitoring and assessment of biodiversity.

 

 

TRAFFIC has an enviable reputation as a reliable and impartial organization, a leader in the field of conservation as it relates to wildlife trade. TRAFFIC was established in 1976 and has developed into a global network, research-driven and action-oriented, committed to delivering innovative and practical conservation solutions based on the latest information.