How our quality of life and wellbeing are dependent on biodiversity

Biodiversity lays the foundation for human survival and development by providing non-material and material benefits benefits. While material benefits of biodiversity such as clean air and food have been acknowledged by the international community since more than two decades at 1992 Rio Earth Summit, non-material benefits have not received enough attention yet. The Biodiversity and …

Why the Nagoya Protocol matters for biodiversity and community health

Adopted on 29 October 2010 during the 10th meeting of the Conference of the Parties (COP 10) to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) in Nagoya, Japan, the Nagoya Protocol on Access to Genetic Resources and the Fair and Equitable Sharing of Benefits Arising from their Utilization (ABS) (short Nagoya Protocol) finally reached more than 50 …

Fostering global collaborations for biodiversity conservation

The Biodiversity and Community Health (BaCH) Initiative's partner, the Secretary of the Convention on Biological Diversity (SCBD) formed the Liaison Group of Biodiversity-related Conventions (BLG) in 2004. The BLG aims to reduce overlapping and create synergies between the CBD and other biodiversity conventions. As such, the group invited the International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC) to join as …

The Nagoya Protocol on access and benefit-sharing of genetic resources will enter into force

The Nagoya Protocol on Access to Genetic Resources and the Fair and Equitable Sharing of Benefits Arising from their Utilization to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) agreed in October 2010 in Nagoya, Japan will enter into force on October 12 2014. The protocol finally reached 51 of 50 required ratifications to enter into force. Against the …

The International Day for Biological Diversity (IDB)

The UN has proclaimed May 22 the International Day for Biological Diversity (IDB) to increase understanding and awareness of biodiversity issues. This year is dedicated to island biodiversity and emphasises at the same time the designation by the UN General Assembly of 2014 as the International Year of Small Island Developing States. In addition, the …