The Environmental Agenda: Successes, Failures, and Prospects for the Future

1. THE ENVIRONMENTAL AGENDATEN YEARS AFTER RIO:SUCCESSES, FAILURES AND PROSPECTS FOR THE FUTURE Keynote address by Olivier Jalbert Principal Officer Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity

2. From Rio to Johannesburg • Successes and failures in achieving the objectivesset out in Rio • Activities under the Convention on Biological Diversity • Prospects for the next decade Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity

3. Major accomplishments since Rio • Effectiveness in addressing specific issues (Montreal Protocol, Biosafety Protocol, PIC, POPs and Basel Conventions) • Development and application of key concepts such as the precautionary approach • Increased awareness • Integration of environmental considerations in policy making • Long term strategies at national level Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity

4. Lessons to be learned • Progress in easy when there is large consensus on the need to address a problem • Consensus is easier when the problem is well circumscribed and stakes similar to all • Leadership from developed countries • Disasters create proper environment for action • Scientific certainty as regards nature and remedies is key Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity

5. Shortcomings • The overall negative trends have not been reversed: • Climate change • Loss of biodiversity • Land degradation, etc. • Sustainable development remains elusive goal • Efforts undermined by: • Lack of scientific certainty • Long-term nature of problems and their consequences • Impact on economy & complexity of the problems Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity

6. The Convention on Biological Diversity • Near universal: 180 Parties • Prompted by the alarming loss of biodiversity (animals, plants and microorganisms) • Basic objectives: • Conservation • Sustainable use • Access to genetic resources and fair and equitable sharing of the benefits of their utilization Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity

7. Institutions Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity

8. Main causes of biodiversity loss • Loss and fragmentation of habitat • Introduction of alien species • Overharvesting • Poverty • Climate change • Pollution Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity

9. The value of biodiversity • It has economic value: • It supports such diverse industries as agriculture, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, pulp and paper, etc. • It provides “goods and services” • It has aesthetical, social and ethical value Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity

10. Activities under the CBDThematic Areas • Forest biodiversity • Agricultural biodiversity • Inland water biodiversity • Marine and coastal biodiversity • Dryland biodiversity Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity

11. Examples of “cross-cutting” issues • Alien species • Tourism • Incentive measures • Scientific assessments • Indicators • Taxonomy Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity

12. Challenges for the CBD • Raising public awareness and understanding of the importance of biodiversity • Mobilizing additional financial resources • Development and implementation of national strategies • Reach consensus on access to genetic resources and sharing of benefits • Give recognition and protection to traditional knowledge • Sound scientific basis to underpin action Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity

13. Prospects for the next decade • Environmental problems will become more acute • Pressures for greater transparency and increased role of civil society • Increased interaction between trade and environment: mainstreaming of environmental concerns • More comprehensive approach to problems: greater synergy • Advance in science (biotechnology) will lead to new challenges • Greater emphasis on techniques for assessing environmental risk Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity