Biodiversity - a GRI Reporting Resource - Global Reporting Initiative

Box 3: 2010 Biodiversity target
The Conference of the Parties to the
Convention on Biological Diversity
adopted a Strategic Plan in 2002. In its
mission statement, Parties committed
themselves to a more effective and
coherent implementation of the three
objectives of the Convention, to achieve
by 2010 a significant reduction of the
current rate of biodiversity loss at the
global, regional, and national level as
a contribution to poverty alleviation
and to the benefit of all life on earth.
This target was subsequently endorsed
by the leaders of the world during the
2002 World Summit on Sustainable
Development.
Source:
http://www.biodiv.org/2010-target/
default.asp
to compensate for any loss of biodiversity
caused by an organization’s operations and to
more stringent requirements when applying
for permits.
Most articles in the CBD are relevant to
organizations, as illustrated in Annex IV,
and many decisions adopted by Parties
over the years refer to business. Guidance
and tools developed under the CBD can
help organizations align their policies and
practices in line with the CBD.
The CBD acknowledges that organizations
can significantly contribute to achieving its
objectives. In March 2006, a decision was
adopted focusing exclusively on privatesector
engagement 9 . Amongst other things,
it covers: (1) governments’ engagement
with business in the development and
implementation of biodiversity strategies
and action plans, (2) the participation of
business in CBD meetings, (3) the articulation
and dissemination of the ‘business case’ for
biodiversity, and (4) the compilation and
development of good biodiversity practice
in order to help organizations align their
policies and practices with the three
objectives of the CBD and its goals and
targets, including the 2010 target (see Box 3).
OTHER INTERNATIONAL AGREEMENTS
Apart from the CBD, other agreements
have been entered into at an international
level covering topics such as wetlands,
endangered species, and migratory species.
The other biodiversity related conventions are 10 :
• CITES
The Convention on International Trade
in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna
and Flora (CITES) aims to ensure that
international trade in specimens of wild
animals and plants does not threaten their
survival. Through its three appendices, the
Convention accords varying degrees of
protection to more than 30,000 plant and
animal species.
• CMS
The Convention on the Conservation of
Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS,
or the Bonn Convention) aims to conserve
terrestrial, marine and avian migratory
species throughout their range. Parties to
the CMS work together to conserve migratory
species and their habitats by providing
strict protection for the most endangered
migratory species, by concluding regional
multilateral agreements for the conservation
and management of specific species
or categories of species, and by undertaking
co-operative research and conservation
activities.
• Ramsar
The Convention on Wetlands (popularly
known as the Ramsar Convention) provides
the framework for national action and
international cooperation for the conservation
and wise use of wetlands and their
resources. The convention covers all aspects
of wetland conservation and wise use,
recognizing wetlands as ecosystems that
are extremely important for biodiversity
conservation in general and for the wellbeing
of human communities.
• WHC
The primary mission of the World Heritage
Convention (WHC) is to identify and conserve
the world’s cultural and natural heritage, by
drawing up a list of sites whose outstanding
values should be preserved for all humanity
and to ensure their protection through a
closer co-operation among nations.
• The International Treaty on Plant
Genetic Resources for Food and
Agriculture
The objectives of the Treaty are the conservation
and sustainable use of plant
genetic resources for food and
agriculture and the fair and equitable
sharing of the benefits arising out of their
use, in harmony with the Convention
on Biological Diversity, for sustainable
agriculture and food security. The Treaty
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9] The potential benefit of engaging the private sector in the implementation of the Convention has
long been recognized. Numerous decisions on specific mechanisms and issues, including technology
transfer, sustainable use, agricultural and forest biodiversity, incentive measures and the clearing-house
mechanism, refer explicitly to enhancing private sector engagement. (SCBD, Strengthening Business
Engagement in the implementation of the Convention on Biological Diversity, 2005, http://www.biodiv.
org/doc/meetings/biodiv/b2010-02/official/b2010-02-02-en.pdf )
10] http://www.biodiv.org/cooperation/joint.shtml