Maarg Manthan · Topic 18.18

Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD)

Environment & Ecology › International Environmental Governance and Conventions · Topic 18.18

The Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) is the main international treaty on biodiversity. It was adopted in Nairobi on 22 May 1992, opened for signature at the Rio Earth Summit in June 1992, and entered into force on 29 December 1993. It has 196 parties, covering almost all countries, though the United States has signed but not ratified it, and its secretariat is in Montreal, Canada. The CBD has three objectives: conservation of biological diversity, sustainable use of its components, and fair and equitable sharing of the benefits arising from the use of genetic resources. It recognises that states have sovereign rights over their biological resources (Article 3 and 15), requires national strategies (NBSAPs) and in-situ and ex-situ conservation, includes Article 8(j) on the knowledge and practices of indigenous and local communities, and Article 8(h) on invasive alien species. The Conference of the Parties (COP) is its governing body, and the Subsidiary Body on Scientific, Technical and Technological Advice assists it. Protocols are the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety (2000) and the Nagoya Protocol on Access and Benefit Sharing (2010), along with the Aichi Targets (2010) and the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (2022), which set the goal of protecting 30 percent of land and sea by 2030. International Day for Biological Diversity is 22 May. India is a party since 1994 and implements the CBD through the Biological Diversity Act, 2002.

5 min read · UPSC Prelims · Environment & Ecology · International Environmental Governance and Conventions

At a Glance

Adopted 22 May 1992, Nairobi
In force 29 December 1993
Secretariat Montreal
Objectives Three
Day 22 May
Exam link UPSC Prelims, Environment & Ecology: International Environmental Governance and Conventions

Where Does It Fit?

This topic opens the biodiversity treaties in the macro and follows the account of India’s policy structure for emissions. It leads to the Cartagena and Nagoya Protocols and the Aichi Targets. Previous topic: India’s Policy Structure Relevant to GHG Emissions. Next topic: Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety.

What Are the Main Features of the CBD?

Feature	Details
Adoption	22 May 1992 at Nairobi; opened for signature at Rio in June 1992
Entry into force	29 December 1993
Parties	196; the United States has signed but not ratified
Objectives	Conservation of biodiversity, sustainable use of its components, fair and equitable benefit sharing
Key articles	Article 6 national strategies; Article 8 in-situ conservation including 8(h) invasive species and 8(j) traditional knowledge; Article 9 ex-situ; Article 15 access and benefit sharing
Secretariat	Montreal, Canada; hosted with UNEP
Governance	COP (now every two years), SBSTTA, and the Subsidiary Body on Implementation

What Has Come from the CBD and How Is India Involved?

Cartagena Protocol, 2000: biosafety and movement of living modified organisms
Nagoya Protocol, 2010: access to genetic resources and benefit sharing
Aichi Biodiversity Targets, 2010: 20 targets for 2011-20
Kunming-Montreal framework, 2022: 23 targets for 2030, including protecting 30 percent of land and sea
India: a party since 1994; hosted COP11 in Hyderabad in 2012
Biological Diversity Act, 2002: India’s domestic law
NBSAP: India’s National Biodiversity Action Plan was updated, aligned to national targets
Funding: GEF is the financial mechanism

What Else Should You Remember?

COP1: Nassau, Bahamas, 1994
COP10: Nagoya, Japan, 2010: Aichi Targets and Nagoya Protocol
COP11: Hyderabad, India, 2012: resource mobilisation and Hyderabad targets
COP15: Montreal in December 2022 under Chinese presidency, hosted in Canada: Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework
COP16: Cali, Colombia, October to November 2024: Cali Fund for digital sequence information
Resumed COP16: Rome in February 2025 on finance
Sovereignty: states have sovereign rights over biological resources
Common concern: biodiversity loss is a common concern of humankind
Precautionary approach: reflected in the preamble
Article 8(j): respect and maintain knowledge of indigenous and local communities and share benefits
Article 8(h): prevent introduction of invasive alien species
Article 10: sustainable use of components
Article 14: impact assessment
Article 16: access to technology
Article 20: financial resources
Clearing-house mechanism: shares information and supports cooperation
GBF finance: US$200 billion a year from all sources by 2030, with US$30 billion a year of international aid for developing countries by 2030
GBF targets: restore 30 percent of degraded ecosystems, cut harmful subsidies by US$500 billion a year, reduce pesticide risks
Global Biodiversity Framework Fund: set up under GEF in 2023
US position: not a party, though it takes part as an observer
International Day: 22 May since 2000
Link to previous: see India’s Policy Structure Relevant to GHG Emissions
Link to next: see Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety
Link to BD Act: see Biological Diversity Act, 2002
Caution: party numbers and COP outcomes are updated, so check the CBD website
Exam hint: learn the three objectives, 1992 and 1993 dates, the two protocols and the 2022 framework
Conference of the Parties: the CBD COP meets regularly to review progress, adopt decisions and agree targets and budgets
National implementation: parties must prepare an NBSAP, integrate biodiversity into sector plans and report to the COP
Local communities: the CBD recognises the role of indigenous peoples and local communities as custodians of biodiversity
Links with other treaties: the CBD cooperates with CITES, Ramsar, CMS and the World Heritage Convention in a biodiversity liaison group
Targets 2030: GBF targets also include halting human-induced extinction of threatened species and cutting invasive species spread by half
Capacity building: developing countries get help through GEF and the new biodiversity fund for plans and monitoring

Why Does It Matter for the Exam?

Adopted: 1992
Objectives: Three
Protocols: Cartagena, Nagoya
Current affairs link: 30 by 30
Common errors: listing the US as a party

As an analytical point, the CBD is broad on goals but weaker on binding rules, which is why protocols and frameworks such as Nagoya and Kunming-Montreal were added. Success depends on national action, finance and respect for the rights of local communities.

Why Is This Topic Important?

Aims Three
Tools Protocols
Goal 30 by 30

What Came Next?

The next topic covers the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety. Next topic: Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety.

Key People and Terms

CBD Convention on Biological Diversity
NBSAP National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan
SBSTTA Science advice body
GBF Global Biodiversity Framework
LMO Living modified organism
ABS Access and benefit sharing

Exam Corner

Points to Remember

Adopted 22 May 1992, in force 29 December 1993.
Three objectives.
Secretariat: Montreal.
Protocols: Cartagena and Nagoya.
GBF target: 30 by 30.

Do Not Confuse With

CBD and Cartagena Protocol Parent treaty versus biosafety protocol
Aichi Targets and Kunming-Montreal framework 2011-20 versus 2030 plan
CBD and CITES Biodiversity treaty versus trade treaty

Memory Hook

Ninety-two Nairobi, ninety-three force, three aims, two protocols, thirty by thirty.

Mains Angle

Questions ask for objectives and protocols. These points help.

Aims Three
Protocols Two
Framework GBF

A Question You May Face

An original practice question, not a past paper question.

“Discuss the objectives of the Convention on Biological Diversity and the significance of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework.”

How to Answer

Aims Three.
Articles 8(j).
Protocols Cartagena, Nagoya.
GBF 2022.

GS Relevance

Prelims: objectives, dates, protocols, COP outcomes. GS Paper 2 and 3: biodiversity conventions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Convention on Biological Diversity?

The CBD is a legally binding international treaty adopted on 22 May 1992 and in force since 29 December 1993. It has three objectives: conservation of biological diversity, sustainable use of its components and fair and equitable sharing of benefits from genetic resources. It has 196 parties and its secretariat is in Montreal, Canada.

What are the protocols of the CBD?

The Convention has two protocols. The Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety, adopted in 2000, regulates the transboundary movement of living modified organisms. The Nagoya Protocol on Access and Benefit Sharing, adopted in 2010, regulates access to genetic resources and ensures fair sharing of benefits. The Nagoya-Kuala Lumpur Supplementary Protocol deals with liability under Cartagena.

What is the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework?

It is the global plan adopted at COP15 in December 2022 to halt and reverse biodiversity loss by 2030. It has 4 goals and 23 targets, including protecting 30 percent of land, inland waters, coasts and oceans by 2030, restoring 30 percent of degraded ecosystems and mobilising US$200 billion a year for biodiversity from all sources.

What does Article 8(j) of the CBD say?

Article 8(j) requires parties, subject to national law, to respect, preserve and maintain the knowledge, innovations and practices of indigenous and local communities relevant for conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity, promote their wider application with their approval, and encourage equitable sharing of benefits arising from their use.

What is India's role in the CBD?

India became a party in 1994, enacted the Biological Diversity Act in 2002 to implement it, and hosted the 11th Conference of the Parties in Hyderabad in 2012. India has national biodiversity targets and a National Biodiversity Action Plan, and has been active in the Nagoya Protocol, being among the early ratifiers.

PYQ Practice — Statement Analysis

1 The CBD has three objectives.

True

Conservation, sustainable use, benefit sharing.

2 The CBD secretariat is in Geneva.

False

It is in Montreal.

3 The CBD entered into force in 1993.