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AGENDA 21, CHAPTER 15



CONSERVATION OF BIOLOGICAL DIVERSITY






NOTE:	This is a final, advanced version of a chapter of Agenda 21, as 
adopted by the Plenary in Rio de Janeiro, on June 14, 1992.  
This document will be further edited, translated into the 
official languages, and published by the United Nations for the 
General Assembly this autumn.





........../2


BACKGROUND

15.1.  The objectives and activities in this chapter of Agenda 21 are 
intended to improve the conservation of biological diversity and the 
sustainable use of biological resources, as well as to support the 
Convention on Biological Diversity.  


INTRODUCTION

15.2.  Our planet's essential goods and services depend on the variety and 
variability of genes, species, populations and ecosystems.  Biological 
resources feed and clothe us and provide housing, medicines and spiritual 
nourishment.  The natural ecosystems of forests, savannahs, pastures and 
rangelands, deserts, tundras, rivers, lakes and seas contain most of the 
Earth's biodiversity.  Farmers' fields and gardens are also of great 
importance as repositories, while gene banks, botanical gardens, zoos and 
other germplasm repositories make a small but significant contribution.  
The current decline in biodiversity is largely the result of human activity 
and represents a serious threat to human development.


PROGRAMME AREA

Conservation of biological diversity

Basis for action

15.3.  Despite mounting efforts over the past 20 years, the loss of the 
world's biological diversity, mainly from habitat destruction, 
over-harvesting, pollution and the inappropriate introduction of foreign 
plants and animals, has continued.  Biological resources constitute a 
capital asset with great potential for yielding sustainable benefits. 
Urgent and decisive action is needed to conserve and maintain genes, 
species and ecosystems, with a view to the sustainable management and use 
of biological resources. Capacities for the assessment, study and 
systematic observation and evaluation of biodiversity need to be reinforced 
at national and international levels.  Effective national action and 
international cooperation are required for the in situ protection of 
ecosystems, for the ex situ conservation of biological and genetic 
resources and for the enhancement of ecosystem functions.  The 
participation and support of local communities are elements essential to 
the success of such an approach.  Recent advances in biotechnology have 
pointed up the likely potential for agriculture, health and welfare and for 
environmental purposes of the genetic material contained in plants, animals 
and micro-organisms.  At the same time, it is particularly important in 
this context to stress that States have the sovereign right to exploit 
their own biological resources pursuant to their environmental policies, as 
well as the responsibility to conserve their biodiversity and use their 
biological resources sustainably, and to ensure that activities within 
their jurisdiction or control do not cause damage to the biological 
diversity of other States or of areas beyond the limits of national 
jurisdiction.
Objectives

15.4.  Governments at the appropriate level, with the cooperation of the 
relevant United Nations bodies and regional, intergovernmental and 
non-governmental organizations, the private sector and financial 
institutions, and taking into consideration indigenous people and their 
communities, as well as social and economic factors, should:

	(a)	Press for the early entry into force of the Convention on 
Biological Diversity, with the widest possible participation;

	(b)	Develop national strategies for the conservation of biological 
diversity and the sustainable use of biological resources;

	(c)	Integrate strategies for the conservation of biological 
diversity and the sustainable use of biological resources into national 
development strategies and/or plans;

	(d)	Take appropriate measures for the fair and equitable sharing of 
benefits derived from research and development and use of biological and 
genetic resources, including biotechnology, between the sources of those 
resources and those who use them;

	(e)	Carry out country studies, as appropriate, on the conservation 
of biological diversity and the sustainable use of biological resources, 
including analyses of relevant costs and benefits, with particular 
reference to socio-economic aspects;

	(f)	Produce regularly updated world reports on biodiversity based 
upon national assessments;

	(g)	Recognize and foster the traditional methods and the knowledge 
of indigenous people and their communities, emphasizing the particular role 
of women, relevant to the conservation of biological diversity and the 
sustainable use of biological resources, and ensure the opportunity for the 
participation of those groups in the economic and commercial benefits 
derived from the use of such traditional methods and knowledge; 1/

	(h)	Implement mechanisms for the improvement, generation, 
development and sustainable use of biotechnology and its safe transfer, 
particularly to developing countries, taking account of the potential 
contribution of biotechnology to the conservation of biological diversity 
and the sustainable use of biological resources; 2/

	(i)	Promote broader international and regional cooperation in 
furthering scientific and economic understanding of the importance of 
biodiversity and its functions in ecosystems;


	(j)	Develop measures and arrangements to implement the rights of 
countries of origin of genetic resources or countries providing genetic 
resources, as defined in the Convention on Biological Diversity, 
particularly developing countries, to benefit from the biotechnological 
development and the commercial utilisation of products derived from such 
resources. 2/8

Activities

(a)	Management-related activities

15.5.  Governments at the appropriate levels, consistent with national 
policies and practices, with the cooperation of the relevant United Nations 
bodies and, as appropriate, intergovernmental organizations and with the 
support of indigenous people and their communities, non-governmental 
organizations and other groups, including the business and scientific 
communities, and consistent with the requirements of international law, 
should, as appropriate:

	(a)	Develop new or strengthen existing strategies, plans or 
programmes of action for the conservation of biological diversity and the 
sustainable use of biological resources, taking account of education and 
training needs; 3/

	(b)	Integrate strategies for the conservation of biological 
diversity and the sustainable use of biological and genetic resources into 
relevant sectoral or cross-sectoral plans, programmes and policies, with 
particular reference to the special importance of terrestrial and aquatic 
biological and genetic resources for food and agriculture; 4/  

	(c)	Undertake country studies or use other methods to identify 
components of biological diversity important for its conservation and for 
the sustainable use of biological resources, ascribe values to biological 
and genetic resources, identify processes and activities with significant 
impacts upon biological diversity, evaluate the potential economic 
implications of the conservation of biological diversity and the 
sustainable use of biological and genetic resources, and suggest priority 
action;

	(d)	Take effective economic, social and other appropriate incentive 
measures to encourage the conservation of biological diversity and the 
sustainable use of biological resources, including the promotion of 
sustainable production systems, such as traditional methods of agriculture, 
agroforestry, forestry, range and wildlife management, which use, maintain 
or increase biodiversity; 4/

	(e)	Subject to national legislation, take action to respect, 
record, protect and promote the wider application of the knowledge, 
innovations and practices of indigenous and local communities embodying 
traditional lifestyles for the conservation of biological diversity and the 
sustainable use of biological resources, with a view to the fair and 
equitable sharing of the benefits arising, and promote mechanisms to 
involve those communities, including women, in the conservation and 
management of ecosystems; 1/
	(f)	Undertake long-term research into the importance of 
biodiversity for the functioning of ecosystems and the role of ecosystems 
in producing goods, environmental services and other values supporting 
sustainable development, with particular reference to the biology and 
reproductive capacities of key terrestrial and aquatic species, including 
native, cultivated and cultured species; new observation and inventory 
techniques; ecological conditions necessary for biodiversity conservation 
and continued evolution; and social behaviour and nutrition habits 
dependent on natural ecosystems, where women play key roles.  The work 
should be undertaken with the widest possible participation, especially of 
indigenous people and their communities, including women; 1/

	(g)	Take action where necessary for the conservation of biological 
diversity through the in situ conservation of ecosystems and natural 
habitats, as well as primitive cultivars and their wild relatives, and the 
maintenance and recovery of viable populations of species in their natural 
surroundings, and implement ex situ measures, preferably in the source 
country.  In situ measures should include the reinforcement of terrestrial, 
marine and aquatic protected area systems and embrace, inter alia, 
vulnerable freshwater and other wetlands and coastal ecosystems, such as 
estuaries, coral reefs and mangroves; 5/

	(h)	Promote the rehabilitation and restoration of damaged 
ecosystems and the recovery of threatened and endangered species;

	(i)	Develop policies to encourage the conservation of biodiversity 
and the sustainable use of biological and genetic resources on private 
lands;

	(j)	Promote environmentally sound and sustainable development in 
areas adjacent to protected areas with a view to furthering protection of 
these areas;

	(k)	Introduce appropriate environmental impact assessment 
procedures for proposed projects likely to have significant impacts upon 
biological diversity, providing for suitable information to be made widely 
available and for public participation, where appropriate, and encourage 
the assessment of the impacts of relevant policies and programmes on 
biological diversity;

	(l)	Promote, where appropriate, the establishment and strengthening 
of national inventory, regulation or management and control systems related 
to biological resources, at the appropriate level;

	(m)	Take measures to encourage a greater understanding and 
appreciation of the value of biological diversity, as manifested both in 
its component parts and in the ecosystem services provided.



(b)	Data and information

15.6.  Governments at the appropriate level, consistent with national 
policies and practices, with the cooperation of the relevant United Nations 
bodies and, as appropriate, intergovernmental organizations and with the 
support of indigenous people and their communities, non-governmental 
organizations and other groups, including the business and scientific 
communities, and consistent with the requirements of international law, 
should, as appropriate: 6/

	(a)	Regularly collate, evaluate and exchange information on the 
conservation of biological diversity and the sustainable use of biological 
resources;

	(b)	Develop methodologies with a view to undertaking systematic 
sampling and evaluation on a national basis of the components of biological 
diversity identified by means of country studies;

	(c)	Initiate or further develop methodologies and begin or continue 
work on surveys at the appropriate level on the status of ecosystems and 
establish baseline information on biological and genetic resources, 
including those in terrestrial, aquatic, coastal and marine ecosystems, as 
well as inventories undertaken with the participation of local and 
indigenous people and their communities;

	(d)	Identify and evaluate the potential economic and social 
implications and benefits of the conservation and sustainable use of 
terrestrial and aquatic species in each country, building upon the results 
of country studies;

	(e)	Undertake the updating, analysis and interpretation of data 
derived from the identification, sampling and evaluation activities 
described above;

	(f)	Collect, assess and make available relevant and reliable 
information in a timely manner and in a form suitable for decision-making 
at all levels, with the full support and participation of local and 
indigenous people and their communities.

(c)	International and regional cooperation and coordination

15.7.  Governments at the appropriate level, with the cooperation of the 
relevant United Nations bodies and, as appropriate, intergovernmental 
organizations, and with the support of indigenous people and their 
communities, non-governmental organizations and other groups, including the 
business and scientific communities, and consistent with the requirements 
of international law, should, as appropriate:

	(a)	Consider the establishment or strengthening of national or 
international capabilities and networks for the exchange of data and 
information of relevance to the conservation of biological diversity and 
the sustainable use of biological and genetic resources; 6/
	(b)	Produce regularly updated world reports on biodiversity based 
upon national assessments in all countries;

	(c)	Promote technical and scientific cooperation in the field of 
conservation of biological diversity and the sustainable use of biological 
and genetic resources.  Special attention should be given to the 
development and strengthening of national capabilities by means of human 
resource development and institution-building, including the transfer of 
technology and/or development of research and management facilities, such 
as herbaria, museums, gene banks, and laboratories, related to the 
conservation of biodiversity; 7/

	(d)	Without prejudice to the relevant provisions of the Convention 
on Biological Diversity, facilitate for this chapter the transfer of 
technologies relevant to the conservation of biological diversity and the 
sustainable use of biological resources or technologies that make use of 
genetic resources and cause no significant damage to the environment, in 
conformity with Chapter 34, and recognising that technology includes 
biotechnology; 2/7

	(e)	Promote cooperation between the parties to relevant 
international conventions and action plans with the aim of strengthening 
and coordinating efforts to conserve biological diversity and the 
sustainable use of biological resources;

	(f)	Strengthen support for international and regional instruments, 
programmes and action plans concerned with the conservation of biological 
diversity and the sustainable use of biological resources;

	(g)	Promote improved international coordination of measures for the 
effective conservation and management of endangered/non-pest migratory 
species, including appropriate levels of support for the establishment and 
management of protected areas in transboundary locations;

	(h)	Promote national efforts with respect to surveys, data 
collection, sampling and evaluation, and the maintenance of gene banks.

Means of implementation

(a)	Financing and cost evaluation

15.8.  The UNCED Secretariat has estimated the average total annual cost 
(1993-2000) of implementing the activities of this Chapter to be about $3.5 
billion including about $1.75 billion from the international community on 
grant or concessional terms.  These are indicative and order of magnitude 
estimates only and have not been reviewed by governments.  Actual costs and 
financial terms, including any that are non-concessional, will depend upon, 
inter alia, the specific strategies and programmes governments decide upon 
for implementation.

(b)	Scientific and technological means

15.9.  Specific aspects to be addressed include the need to develop:

	(a)	Efficient methodologies for baseline surveys and inventories, 
as well as for the systematic sampling and evaluation of biological 
resources;

	(b)	Methods and technologies for the conservation of biological 
diversity and the sustainable use of biological resources;

	(c)	Improved and diversified methods for ex situ conservation with 
a view to the long-term conservation of genetic resources of importance for 
research and development.

(c)	Human resource development

15.10.  There is a need, where appropriate, to:

	(a)	Increase the number and/or make more efficient use of trained 
personnel in scientific and technological fields relevant to the 
conservation of biological diversity and the sustainable use of biological 
resources;

	(b)	Maintain or establish programmes for scientific and technical 
education and training of managers and professionals, especially in 
developing countries, on measures for the identification, conservation of 
biological diversity and the sustainable use of biological resources;

	(c)	Promote and encourage understanding of the importance of the 
measures required for the conservation of biological diversity and the 
sustainable use of biological resources at all policy-making and 
decision-making levels in Governments, business enterprises and lending 
institutions, and promote and encourage the inclusion of these topics in 
educational programmes.



(d)	Capacity-building

15.11.  There is a need, where appropriate, to:

	(a)	Strengthen existing institutions and/or establish new ones 
responsible for the conservation of biological diversity and to consider 
the development of mechanisms such as national biodiversity institutes or 
centres;

	(b)	Continue to build capacity for the conservation of biological 
diversity and the sustainable use of biological resources in all relevant 
sectors;

	(c)	Build capacity, especially within Governments, business 
enterprises and bilateral and multilateral development agencies, for 
integrating biodiversity concerns, potential benefits and opportunity cost 
calculations into project design, implementation and evaluation processes, 
as well as for evaluating the impact on biological diversity of proposed 
development projects;

	(d)	Enhance the capacity of governmental and private institutions, 
at the appropriate level, responsible for protected area planning and 
management to undertake intersectoral coordination and planning with other 
governmental institutions, non-governmental organizations and, where 
appropriate, indigenous people and their communities.




Notes

	1/	See chap. 26 (Recognizing and strengthening the role of 
indigenous people and their communities) and chap. 24 (Global action for 
women towards sustainable and equitable development).

	2/	See chap. 16 (Environmentally sound management of 
biotechnology).

	3/	See chap. 36 (Promoting education, public awareness and 
training).

	4/	See chap. 14 (Promoting sustainable agriculture and rural 
development) and chap. 11 (Combating deforestation).

	5/	See chap. 17 (Protection of the oceans, all kinds of seas, 
including enclosed and semi-enclosed seas, and coastal areas and the 
protection, rational use and development of their living resources).

	6/	See chap. 40 (Information for decision-making).

	7/	See chap. 34 (Transfer of environmentally sound technology, 
cooperation and capacity building)

	8/	Article 2 "Use of terms" of the Convention on Biological 
Diversity includes the following definitions:-

"Country of origin of genetic resources" means the 
country which possesses those genetic resources in in-
situ conditions.

"Country providing genetic resources" means the country 
supplying genetic resources collected from in-situ 
sources, including populations of both wild and 
domesticated species, or taken from ex-situ sources, 
which may or may not have originated in that country.
A21: Biodiversity (Ch. 15), Advance 
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