CBD Alliance Recap of COP 11

The CBD Alliance has launched a special issue of its ECO newsletter focused on the discussions, outcomes and challenges of the 11th Conference of Parties (COP 11) to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD). In a brief overview of COP 11, it notes the near-retirement of the landmark Decision III/11 on Agricultural Biodiversity in the name of efficiency and the successful effort to save the decision. It also expresses optimism that COP 12 will focus primarily on implementing past decisions. 

This overview is followed by several articles on a variety of COP 11 topics. Holly Shrumm and Harry Jonas of Natural Justice authored an article entitled “Resilient Peoples for Resilient Ecosystems.” The article highlights two studies which Natural Justice developed in partnership with the Indigenous Peoples’ and Community Conserved Territories and Areas (ICCA) Consortium and Kalpavriksh on the recognition of ICCAs. The first study, co-published with the CBD Secretariat, considers legal and non-legal forms of recognition and support for ICCAs. The second study offers a more in-depth examination of the legal and institutional aspects of ICCA recognition at the national, regional and international levels. The article then briefly considers the impact of COP 11 decisions on ICCA law and policy.

Other articles consider capacity development for Access and Benefit Sharing in Africa, the next COP and customary sustainable use, business and biodiversity, the tokenism of India’s $50 million pledge to support the cause of biodiversity, youth and COP 11, and biodiversity and livelihoods. 

The newsletter can be downloaded here. 

Overview of Key CBD COP11 Events

Harry Jonas (Natural Justice) launching the study on legal
and institutional aspects of ICCAs. Photo via IISD-RS.

Natural Justice was recently in India for the 11th Conference of the Parties (COP11) to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), which took place from 8-19 October in Hyderabad. With a range of civil society, network, government, and intergovernmental partners, we co-organised, presented at and/or attended the following key meetings and events:

• 6-7 October: CBD Alliance preparatory meeting;
• 8 October: side event on the legal weight and implementation of the CBD;
• 9 October: workshop on Indigenous peoples' and local community conserved territories and areas (ICCAs) in South Asia, organised by Kalpavriksh and others;
• 9 October: side event to launch the joint study on Legal and Institutional Aspects of Recognising and Supporting Conservation by Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities (full list of reports available here);
• 9 October: informal meeting with India-based partners in the Asia Regional Initiative on Biocultural Community Protocols, with particular emphasis on Livestock Keepers' Rights in the context of the 2006 Forest Rights Act;
• 10 October: side event on the Joint Programme of Work on Biological and Cultural Diversity between the CBD and UNESCO;
• 11 October: side event on social and cultural dimensions of marine and coastal protected areas, organised by the International Collective in Support of Fishworkers;
• 11 October: workshop on national federations and coalitions of Indigenous peoples and local communities, organised by the ICCA Consortium and others;
• 11 October: side event on biocultural community protocols and free, prior and informed consent, drawing from the recent special issue of the Participatory Learning and Action journal, which Natural Justice co-edited;
• 12 October: side event to launch the CBD Technical Series on Recognising and Supporting ICCAs, which Natural Justice co-edited;
• 12 October: side event on experiences and opportunities for civil society partnerships with access and benefit sharing through the Global Environment Facility Small Grants Programme;
• 12 October: side event on the new online platform to support revision and implementation of National Biodiversity Strategies and Action Plans (NBSAPs)
• 13 October: colloquium on ICCAs and the Aichi Biodiversity Targets, organised by the CBD Secretariat;
• 15 October: side event on UNDP support for ICCAs;
• 16 October: Rio Pavilion event on Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation (REDD+);
• 16 October: side event on the International Finance Corporation's Performance Standards on Environmental and Social Sustainability;
• 16 October: press conference on Namibia's Community-Based Natural Resource Management Programme;
• 18 October: high-level panel on implementation of the Nagoya Protocol on Access and Benefit Sharing;
• 18 October: side event on strengthening governance, participation, equity, and benefit-sharing aspects of NBSAPs with Indigenous peoples and local communities; and
• 19 October: side event on the Biodiversity in Good Company Initiative.

We also attended a series of meetings throughout COP11 to progress plans for the Community Conservation Resilience Assessment in collaboration with the Global Forest Coalition and others, and for the project on legal preparedness to achieve the Aichi Targets in collaboration with the International Development Law Organisation and the Centre for International Sustainable Development Law.

Daily coverage of select side events is available online courtesy of the International Institute for Sustainable Development Reporting Services (IISD-RS).

Legal Weight and Implementation of the CBD

Via www.iisd.ca

Natural Justice hosted a side event at the 11th Conference of Parties (COP-11) of the Convention on Biological Diversity on 8 October, 2012 in Hyderabad, India. The event emerged from a rapid assessment undertaken by Natural Justice for the CBD Alliance. Among other issues raised by the report are a) the fact that there is no clarity about the legal weight of the CBD and b) how civil society could better engage in the implementation of the CBD. In this context, the event brought together the following people to discuss the incumbent issues: Elisa Morgera (Edinburgh University), S. Faizi (India Biodiversity Forum), Gurdial Singh Nijar (Centre of Excellence for Biodiversity Law, University of Malaya), Joji Carino (Tebtebba, pictured), Chee Yoke Ling (Third World Network), Yolanda Saito (International Development Law Organization) and Frederic Perron-Welch (Centre for International Sustainable Development Law). Harry Jonas from Natural Justice introduced the report and moderated the session which was covered by Earth Negotiations Bulletin and is available here. 

COP 11 Preparations

Natural Justice's Holly Shrumm, Arpitha Kodiveri and Harry Jonasattended the CBD Alliance's preparatory meeting to develop the civil society's strategic engagement at the CBD's 11th COP. Among other things, the team helped draft the group's opening statement and Arpitha Kodiveri chaired a meeting between the CBD Alliance and the New Executive Secretary Braulio Ferreira de Souza Dias (pictured). Similarly, Kabir Bavikatte worked with the African Group to prepare for the COP. More information can be found on the CBD website and the CBD Alliance website.