Global Transformations In The Use Of Biodiversity For Research And Development

Enough laws have been enacted since the adoption of the Nagoya Protocol on access and benefit-sharing to permit a study which is capable of accurately portraying the status quo of national implementation of the Protocol and the ensuing practice, emerging challenges and how countries are coping with them. This book, one of the first to present such a study, uniquely combines an examination of the new laws and practice and how they comply with the Nagoya Protocol; of issues not yet resolved by the Protocol and which solutions are being explored; and of how research and development is responding to the new situation. In addition, it proposes solutions to selected questions on ABS based on real-world and hypothetical cases, which could instigate litigation. Written by a team of expert academics and practitioners in the field, this book makes a valuable contribution to academic and policy debates and to academic literature on international environmental law, international biodiversity law, international property law, climate law and the law of indigenous populations. It also offers a reference guide for practicing lawyers in the area of ABS.

Enough laws have been enacted since the adoption of the Nagoya Protocol on access and benefit-sharing to permit a study which is capable of accurately portraying the status quo of national implementation of the Protocol and the ensuing practice, emerging challenges and how countries are coping with them. This book, one of the first to present such a study, uniquely combines an examination of the new laws and practice and how they comply with the Nagoya Protocol; of issues not yet resolved by the Protocol and which solutions are being explored; and of how research and development is responding to the new situation. In addition, it proposes solutions to selected questions on ABS based on real-world and hypothetical cases, which could instigate litigation.Written by a team of expert academics and practitioners in the field, this book makes a valuable contribution to academic and policy debates and to academic literature on international environmental law, international biodiversity law, international property law, climate law and the law of indigenous populations. It also offers a reference guide for practicing lawyers in the area of ABS.

The Commission on Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture (Commission), at its Seventeenth Regular Session, requested to prepare a survey of existing legislative, administrative and policy approaches, including best practices, for access and benefit-sharing (ABS) for the different subsectors of genetic resources for food and agriculture (GRFA) and traditional knowledge associated with GRFA (TKGRFA) held by Indigenous Peoples and local communities, with the aim of identifying typical approaches and lessons learned from their implementation, as well as challenges and possible solutions. [Author] In response to the Commission’s request, a survey identifying the different types of legislative, administrative or policy measures countries have taken to accommodate the distinctive features of GRFA and subsectors of GRFA and of TKGRFA in their ABS measures was commissioned. [Author] At its Eighteenth Regular Session, the Commission, in considering the Survey, requested the preparation of a stand-alone document providing specific examples of existing country legislative, administrative or policy measures that directly or indirectly accommodate distinctive features of GRFA and associated traditional knowledge. [Author] This publication is Supplement I of the typology of ABS country measures reflecting the importance of GRFA, their special role for food security and their distinctive features. [Author]

This study contributes to the work stream on digital sequence information of FAO’s Commission on Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture (GRFA). It presents key practices and experiences related to the ways in which digital sequence information (DSI) is generated, stored, accessed, and used for research and development related to GRFA. The report explores the availability and accessibility of DSI to the research community and the private sector in all parts of the world. It also presents solutions currently being discussed for access to, and use of, DSI and the sharing of benefits arising from such use. In addition, the study discusses applications of DSI that are relevant to GRFA, including DSI that is not derived from GRFA but nevertheless contributes to their identification, characterization, use, improvement and conservation. Further, the report addresses obstacles to access and use of DSI and identifies the need for capacity building to address global imbalance in its generation and use.The study demonstrates the many existing and potential applications of DSI that are highly relevant to GRFA whilst stressing the importance of open access to data to facilitate research and development in food and agriculture. It emphasises that the generation, storage, accessibility and use of DSI are fundamental to the efforts to make agriculture more sustainable. Access to, and use of, DSI face serious obstacles in many countries. There is a pressing need to address the root causes of these problems, which include lack of: technical infrastructure, financial and human resources, educational and training opportunities, scientific collaboration, computing infrastructure, reliable electricity and high-speed internet. The study concludes that there is a need for a regulatory environment that facilitates access to DSI whilst also maintaining the fair and equitable sharing of benefits arising from its use.

Approaching the contributions of a world-wide sector of scientific institutions to addressing the extinction crisis, Botanical Gardens and Their Role in Plant Conservation brings together a diversity of perspectives. There are more than 3,600 botanical gardens worldwide, where trees, shrubs, herbs, and other plants are studied and managed in collections. They are foremost among efforts to conserve the diversity of living plant species and ensure that crucial biodiversity is available for the future of humanity. This book is a showcase for plant conservation, restoration, biodiversity, and related scientific and educational work of botanical gardens around the world, featuring both thematic overview chapters and numerous case studies that illustrate the critical role these institutions play in fighting extinction and ensuring plant diversity is available for sustainable use. FEATURES A wide range of case studies derived from practical experience in a diversity of institutional, national, and biogeographical settings, Reviews of topics such as networking amongst institutions, the importance of global policy agreements such as the Convention on Biological Diversity and the Global Strategy for Plant Conservation, Profiles of botanical gardens contributions at the national level to conservation priorities, Real-world examples of programs in plant conservation for both critically endangered wild plant diversity and unique horticultural or cultural germplasm. Botanical Gardens and Their Role in Plant Conservation includes contributions from institutions from Africa, Asia, Australia, Europe, and the Americas, and institutions of all sizes and histories, from long-established national gardens to new gardens offering their perspectives on developing their roles in this vital undertaking.

Part VI, VII and VIII are devoted to the management and the rational use of biodiversity.

What are the best land use combinations to meet the social and economic needs of developing nations without jeopardising the ability of natural systems to deliver their life-support functions? Based on theoretical analysis and original case study material, this book attempts to answer this question by studying the interactions between economic forces which can lead to land use changes and the subsequent loss of biodiversity. Raffaello Cervigni examines the policy options and management practices that may counteract these losses and encourage the development of sustainable land use and biodiversity conservation. Biodiversity in the Balance summarises the scientific and economic debate and highlights disagreements about the definitions of biodiversity management objectives. The author goes on to develop an original analytical treatment of the incremental cost financing mechanisms adopted by the Convention on Biological Diversity. Significantly, he undertakes a microeconomic study of land use change in a biosphere reserve in South-East Mexico. Based on an original data set, the author presents a detailed modelling exercise of resource and land use choices at the individual farm level with related projections of the impact at both community and regional levels. Techniques used include multi-period linear programming and dynamic stock-flow simulation. The book concludes by addressing policy implications and options for future research. This book will be of interest to graduate students, researchers and professionals in a variety of disciplines including economics, natural resource studies, social studies, geography and land planning. The book will also be of value to the large environmental NGO community.

Complex geopolitical debate surrounds the role of intellectual property (IP) in advancing and achieving the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Summarising and advancing this discourse, this prescient Companion is a thorough examination of how IP law interacts, influences and impacts each of the seventeen SDGs.