Biodiversity in IA toolkit

International Conventions

A number of international conventions relate to biodiversity and impact assessment in some form or other. The big three are:

The Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), which defines biological diversity (biodiversity), sets out requirements for the inclusion of biodiverity in impact assessment and (so on and so forth).
The Bonn Convention on Migratory Species (CMS)
The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES), which regulates signatories in the trade of endangered fauna, flora and their products.

Each of these Conventions sets out agreed Articles, stating requirements to which signatories must (should) adhere.

In addition to these three Conventions, the Ramsar Convention sets out requirements regaring impact assessment and wetlands, and there are a number of other conventions, often with a more regional focus.

Convention on Biological Diversity

The objectives of the CBD are threefold: conservation of biological diversity, sustainable use of its components and fair and equitable sharing of benefits arising out of the utilization of genetic resources. It is one of the most widely-accepted conventions, with over 188 Parties to the convention

Biodiversity

Biodiversity is defined by the CBD as:

the variability among living organisms from all sources including, inter alia, terrestrial, marine and other aquatic ecosystems and the ecological complexes of which they are part; this includes diversity within species, between species and of ecosystems. (Article 2, CBD)

Conservation and sustainable use of resources

The Convention also addresses the need for signatories (a.k.a. Parties) to:

(a) Develop national strategies, plans or programmes for the conservation and sustainable use of biological diversity or adapt for this purpose existing strategies, plans or programmes which shall reflect, inter alia, the measures set out in this Convention relevant to the Contracting Party concerned; and
(b) Integrate, as far as possible and as appropriate, the conservation and sustainable use of biological diversity into relevant sectorial or cross-sectoral plans, programmes and policies. (Article 6)

Sustainable use of components of biological diversity

The CBD requires signatories to:

(a) Integrate consideration of the conservation and sustainable use of biological resources into national decision-making;
(b) Adopt measures relating to the use of biological resources to avoid or minimize adverse impacts on biological diversity (Article 10) [link]

Impact Assessment

Finally, in relation to the need for impact assessment, the CBD asks that countries:

Introduce appropriate procedures requiring environmental impact assessment of its proposed projects that are likely to have significant adverse effects on biological diversity with a view to avoiding or minimizing such effects and, where appropriate, allow for public participation in such procedures;
Introduce appropriate arrangements to ensure that the environmental consequences of its programmes and policies that are likely to have significant adverse impacts on biological diversity are duly taken into account;
Promote, on the basis of reciprocity, notification, exchange of information and consultation on activities under their jurisdiction or control which are likely to significantly affect adversely the biological diversity of other States or areas beyond the limits of national jurisdiction, by encouraging the conclusion of bilateral, regional or multilateral arrangements, as appropriate (Article 14)

Since the creation of the CBD, a number of decisions relating to biodiversity and impact assessment have since been agreed, notably Decisions VI/7a (identification, monitoring, indicators and assessments); V/6 (the ecosystem approach); V/18 (impact assessment, liability and redress); IV/10c (measures for implementing the Convention); and III/18 (incentive measures) [link all]

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CMS

The Bonn Convention on Migratory Species is an instrument designed to encourage effective information-sharing and protection of migratory species across the world.

Impact Assessment

Resolution 7.2 (pdf 0.1Mb) of the CMS concerns impact assessment and migratory species. It was passed in view of the fact that Articles I(c), II and IV all imply a need to be able to predict and assess impacts on the Appendix I species of the Convention. In particular, the following is stated:

Emphasises the importance of good quality environmental impact assessment (EIA) and strategic environmental assessment (SEA) as tools for implementing Article II (2) of the Convention on avoiding endangerment of migratory species and Article III (4) of the Convention on protection of Appendix I species, and as important elements to include in AGREEMENTS concluded under Article IV (3) of the Convention in respect of Appendix II species, and in agreements concluded under Article IV (4) of the Convention in respect of Appendix II and other species;

Urges Parties to include in EIA and SEA, wherever relevant, as complete a consideration as possible of effects involving impediments to migration, in furtherance of Article III (4) (b) of the Convention, of transboundary effects on migratory species, and of impacts on migratory patterns or on migratory ranges;

Further urges Parties to make use, as appropriate, of the "Guidelines for Incorporating Biodiversity-related Issues into Environmental Impact Assessment Legislation and/or Processes and in Strategic Environmental Assessment" endorsed by Decision VI/7 of CBD COP 6;

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CITES

The CITES Convention aims to control and restrict the global international trade in endangered species.

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Ramsar

The Ramsar Convention is an international convention that began in Ramsar, Iran in (DATE?), making it the oldest major environmental convention. The Convention aims to protect wetlands throughout the world and encourage their wise use.