United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity
Introduction
The United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), one of the main outcomes of the 1992 Rio Earth Summit, aims to ensure the conservation of biodiversity (ie the complete variety of life on Earth), its sustainable use, and the fair and equitable sharing of the benefits arising from the use of genetic resources. The Convention thus has a potentially huge impact, but relies heavily on action at the national level and under other related treaties and fora to achieve its objectives.
In May 2000 the Conference of the Parties to the CBD decided that each Party to the Convention should submit to the Secretariat a general progress report exploring the extent to which the wide range of Convention obligations have been fulfilled. Before submitting the report the UK asked for contributions from interested stakeholders in a consultation exercise in March 2001.
The UK submitted its second national report under the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) in May 2001. A copy of the UK Report can be found on the CBD website via:
- The CBD national report introduction page; and in turn
- The UK report - in Adobe Acrobat PDF format and in MS Word DOC format.
UK Thematic Report on Mountain Ecosystems: consultation
The CBD 6th Conference of the Parties held in April 2002 requested Parties to the Convention to submit reports on mountain ecosystems. The reports will feed into the consideration of the future work programme of the Convention, and assist in assessing implementation of the Convention by sharing experience.
At Defra's request, the Joint Nature Conservation Committee (JNCC) have prepared the draft UK report on mountain ecosystems. This has been compiled after an initial round of consultation with key UK organisations and agencies involved with biodiversity of mountain ecosystems, including government departments and the devolved administrations.
Comments were sought on this consultation draft, from across the spectrum of UK society and interests, available for download from the JNCC Clearing House Mechanism website (see www.chm.org.uk and also www.jncc.gov.uk) at http://212.219.37.111/news/Mountain_ecosystem_consultation.htm. The closing date for replies was 1 November 2002.
Related material
Sustainable Forests; Importation of Timber
An update on current progress on tackling illegal logging.
Darwin Initiative
You may also wish to see Defra's material on the Darwin Initiative for the Survival of Species Index.
Contacting Defra
If you want further information that is not covered by these pages, you can contact us by e-mail at darwin@defra.gsi.gov.uk
Defra is not responsible for the contents or reliability of the linked web sites and does not necessarily endorse the views expressed within them. Listing should not be taken as endorsement of any kind. We cannot guarantee that these links will work all of the time and we have no control over the availability of the linked pages.
Page last modified
24 August, 2005
Page published 31 August 2001