Coming up: New set of targets to protect the natural world

News: The Convention on Biological Diversity is set to identify ‘Global Biodiversity Framework’ of targets for the coming decade to 2030. These targets will replace the Aichi targets and will also lead towards the longer 2050 goal: Living in harmony with nature.

Facts:

Aichi Biodiversity Targets:

•  These were included in the Strategic Plan for Biodiversity for the 2011-2020 period adopted by the 10th meeting of the Conference of the Parties of the Convention on Biological Diversity.
• There are 20 Aichi Targets classified under 5 Strategic Goals. The targets were to be achieved by 2020. 

1. Strategic Goal A: Address the underlying causes of biodiversity loss by mainstreaming biodiversity across government and society
2. Strategic Goal B: Reduce the direct pressures on biodiversity and promote sustainable use
3. Strategic Goal C: To improve the status of biodiversity by safeguarding ecosystems, species and genetic diversity
4. Strategic Goal D: Enhance the benefits to all from biodiversity and ecosystem services
5. Strategic Goal E: Enhance implementation through participatory planning, knowledge management and capacity building

Convention on Biological Diversity

• Signed at the 1992 Rio Earth Summit, it is dedicated to promoting sustainable development. 
• There are 196 parties to the convention. It is a legally-binding treaty.
• Objectives: 

1. conservation of biological diversity,
2. sustainable use of the components of biological diversity 
3. fair and equitable sharing of the benefits arising out of the utilization of genetic resources

Convention Protocols:

1. Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety: It aims to ensure the safe handling, transport and use of living modified organisms (LMOs) resulting from modern biotechnology that may have adverse effects on biological diversity. It was adopted in 2000 and entered into force in 2003.
2. Nagoya Protocol on Access to Genetic Resources and the Fair and Equitable Sharing of Benefits Arising from their Utilization: It aims at sharing the benefits arising from the utilization of genetic resources in a fair and equitable way. It entered into force in 2014