What’s the news?

• A key UN summit tasked with protecting biodiversity was officially opened in China as countries meet to tackle pollution and prevent mass extinction weeks before the COP26 climate conference.

News in detail

• Around one million animal and plant species are threatened with extinction amid human encroachment on habitats, over-exploitation, pollution, the spread of invasive species, and climate change.
• Of them, some are critically endangered who face various threats, from hunting to climate change.

Species on verge of Extinction

1. Large-antlered Muntjac: It is badly threatened from very high hunting pressures. It is found in Annamite mountain range, in Laos, Vietnam and extending upto Cambodia.
2. Cuban Crocodile: This medium-sized crocodile that lurks in inundated shrublands to prey on native rodents and turtles, is itself threatened by hunting. It is found in freshwater wetlands in Cuba.
3. Pygmy Hog: This is the smallest of the wild suid group of species, which also include wild boars and warthogs. 

• It is down to a population of 100-250. The Pygmy Hog is found in India, possibly in Bhutan too.

1. Egyptian Vulture: This species is an adaptable forager and also scavenges at human settlements. Yet, its population continues to decline. 

• This vulture is found in Central and North Africa, the Middle East, India and the Mediterranean region.

1. Iberian Lynx: This critically endangered species breeds only in the Mediterranean shrublands and relies on the endangered European Rabbit for 80-90% diet. 

• The Iberian Lynx is found in Spain.

1. Mountain Gazelle: It is a specialist of mountains, steep terrains and arid plains.

• Mountain Gazelle is known for its ability to withstand severe climatic conditions. 
• It is found in Israel, West Bank.

About convention on Biological Diversity (CBD)

• • Signed by 150 government leaders at the 1992 Rio Earth Summit, the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) is dedicated to promoting sustainable development. 
  • Conceived as a practical tool for translating the principles of Agenda 21 into reality, the Convention recognizes that biological diversity is about more than plants, animals and micro organisms and their ecosystems – it is about people and our need for food security, medicines, fresh air and water, shelter, and a clean and healthy environment in which to live. 
  • India is a party to CBD and enacted the Biological Diversity Act, 2002, (Refer Pulse August edition) to meet the obligations under Convention on Biological Diversity.

• Agenda 21 is a non-binding action plan of the United Nations for sustainable development, covering a wide range of specific natural resources and the role of different groups, as well as issues of social and economic development and implementation.

• It is a product of the 1992 Rio Earth Summit.

Objectives

• The CBD entered into force on 29 December 1993. It has 3 main objectives:

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

Aichi Targets

• The ‘Aichi Targets’ were adopted by the Convention on Biological Diversity at the tenth meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the CBD (COP10) which took place in Nagoya, Japan in 2010.
• During the meeting, the parties agreed that previous biodiversity protection targets were not achieved, and therefore they needed to come up with new plans and targets.
• The short-term plan provides a set of 20 time-bound, measurable targets to be met by the year 2020, collectively known as the Aichi Biodiversity Targets, grouped under five Strategic Goals.

Protocols to CBD

Cartagena Protocol 

• The Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety to the Convention on Biological Diversity is an international agreement which 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, taking also into account risks to human health. 
• It entered into force on 11 September 2003.  Number of Parties: 173 (including India).

Nagoya Protocol 

• The Nagoya Protocol on Access to Genetic Resources and the Fair and Equitable Sharing of Benefits Arising from their Utilization to the Convention on Biological Diversity is an international agreement which aims at sharing the benefits arising from the utilization of genetic resources in a fair and equitable way. 
• It entered into force on 12 October 2014. Number of Parties: 129 (including India).

Nagoya – Kuala Lumpur Supplementary Protocol 

• Adopted as a supplementary agreement to the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety, the Nagoya – Kuala Lumpur Supplementary Protocol on Liability and Redress to the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety aims to contribute to the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity by providing international rules and procedures in the field of liability and redress relating to living modified organisms. 
• It entered into force on 5 March 2018. Number of Parties: 48 (including India).

Reports published

• The Global Biodiversity Outlook(GBO) Report is the flagship publication of the CBD and summarises progress made towards achieving the objectives of the Convention, such as the Aichi Targets and identifies key actions to achieve these.

References:

1. https://www.hindustantimes.com/environment
2. https://www.cbd.int/intro/