cbd-ts-66-en

Part I: Impacts of Climate-related Geoengineering on Biological Diversity
1.3 RELEVANT GUIDANCE UNDER THE CONVENTION ON BIOLOGICAL DIVERSITY
Decision X/33 adopted by the Conference of the Parties at its tenth meeting, in paragraph 8(w), refers to the
precautionary approach and to Article 14 of the Convention.
The precautionary approach contained in Principle 15 of the Rio Declaration on Environment and Development
is an approach to uncertainty, and provides for action to avoid serious or irreversible environmental harm in
advance of scientific certainty of such harm. In the context of the Convention, it is referred to in numerous
decisions and pieces of guidance, including the Strategic Plan for Biodiversity 2011–2020; the ecosystem approach;
the voluntary guidelines on biodiversity-inclusive impact assessment; the Addis Ababa principles and guidelines
for the sustainable use of biodiversity; the guiding principles for the prevention, introduction and mitigation of
impacts of alien species that threaten ecosystems, habitats or species; the programme of work on marine and
coastal biological diversity; the proposals for the design and implementation of incentive measures; the Cartagena
Protocol on Biosafety; agricultural biodiversity in the context of Genetic Use Restriction Technologies; and forest
biodiversity with regard to genetically modified trees.
In decision X/33, the Conference of the Parties calls for precaution in the absence of an adequate scientific basis on
which to justify geoengineering activities and appropriate consideration of the associated risks for the environment
and biodiversity, and associated social, economic and cultural impacts. Further consideration of the precautionary
approach is provided in the study on the regulatory framework of climate-related geoengineering relevant to the
Convention on Biological Diversity8 available in Part II of this volume.
Article 14 of the Convention includes provisions on environmental impact assessment of proposed projects as
well as strategic environmental assessment of programmes and policies that are likely to have significant adverse
impacts on biodiversity. To assist Parties in this area, a set of voluntary guidelines were developed:
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• Voluntary guidelines for biodiversity-inclusive impact assessment, adopted through decision VIII/28;
• Additional guidance on biodiversity-inclusive Strategic Environmental Assessment, endorsed through
decision VIII/28;
• Akwé: Kon voluntary guidelines for the conduct of cultural, environmental and social impact
assessment regarding developments proposed to take place on, or which are likely to impact on, sacred
sites and on lands and waters traditionally occupied or used by indigenous and local communities,
adopted through decision VII/16;
• Tkarihwaié:ri code of ethical conduct to ensure respect for the cultural and intellectual heritage of
indigenous and local communities; and
• Draft voluntary guidelines for the consideration of biodiversity in environmental impact assessments
(EIAs) and strategic environmental assessments (SEAs) in marine and coastal areas, including those
beyond national jurisdiction.
Article 14 includes further provisions for activities which are likely to have significant adverse effects on the
biodiversity of other States or areas beyond the limits of national jurisdiction. Given the large scale of geoengineering
interventions, the need for notification, exchange of information and consultation as well as readiness for emergency
responses called for in this provision would likely apply to the originator of such geoengineering activities. To
date, the Convention has not developed further guidance in this area. Issues of liability and redress, including
restoration and compensation for damage to biodiversity caused by activities under the jurisdiction of other States,
are still under debate.
8 Bodle et al. (2012).