The distribution of legal authority to protect biodiversity in marine areas beyond national juris... more The distribution of legal authority to protect biodiversity in marine areas beyond national jurisdiction (ABNJ) between the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) and the UN Law of the Sea Convention (LOSC) has been a contentious issue. In practice, main responsibility has been allocated to LOSC, under which a new implementing agreement on conservation and sustainable use of marine biodiversity of areas beyond national jurisdiction (BBNJ) is currently being negotiated. CBD was allocated responsibility for providing scientific information and advice on marine biodiversity, which has resulted in the identification and description of 321 Ecologically or Biologically Significant Marine Areas (EBSAs) worldwide, within and beyond national jurisdiction. These could provide important scientific backing for a coming BBNJ instrument under LOSC, especially as regards the designation of marine protected areas and the conduct of environmental impact assessments in ABNJ. However, the process of...
ABSTRACT 8 INLAND WATER ECOSYSTEMS Georgia is rich in inland water resources. There are more than... more ABSTRACT 8 INLAND WATER ECOSYSTEMS Georgia is rich in inland water resources. There are more than 26,000 rivers, about 860 lakes, 12 water reservoirs and numerous fish farming ponds. The inland waters of Georgia are inhabited by more than 80 species of fish, 100 known species of crustaceans and 58 species of molluscs. (Data on other groups of aquatic invertebrates are inaccurate and unreliable).There are more than 2,600 species of algae. The wetland ecosystems of the Kolkheti lowlands and the Javakheti plateau are important habitats for migratory birds. Up to300 species of birds have been recorded in the Kolkheti protected areas and adjacent territories and 91 species are found in the lakes of Javakheti. There is a legal framework for the conservation and sustainable use of wetlands in Georgia. The country is a party to international agreements such as the Ramsar Convention and the Convention on Migratory Species (CMS). However, the legislation still needs substantial improvement and there are many shortcomings in respect of law enforcement. Many wetlands are not protected and/or are not managed sustainably and are continuing to be modified as a result of anthropogenic factors. The problem is compounded by invasive species. These factors contribute to the fragmentation of wetland ecosystems and have a serious impact on the biodiversity of inland waters, including water birds. The existing legislation needs to be improved and regulatory mechanisms for effective control need to be developed in order to ensure the conservation and sustainable use of the biological resources of the country’s inland waters. 8.1 Description of problems 8.1.1 Pollution 8.1.2 Illegal fishing 8.1.3 Harvest in inland waters 8.1.4 The Impact of infrastructure development 8.1.5 Aquaculture in the inland waters of Georgia 8.1.6 Invasive species 8.1.7 Lack of information 8.2 Strategic approach 8.3 Actions in chapter 12 relevant to the thematic area “Inland water ecosystems” 9 THE BIODIVERSITY OF THE BLACK SEA The Black Sea has a 2 million-square-kilometre basin that covers almost one third of continental Europe. Hence, the rivers that flow into the Black Sea bring huge quantities of sediment into it. This sea is relatively poor in species diversity because of both the limited availability of habitable layers and the substantial difference in water temperature and salinity compared to the Mediterranean Sea. The less hospitable environments of the Black Sea and its general isolation have resulted in the development of specific features in its inhabitants. These features are not found in any of the species’ close relatives or even in their conspecific populations elsewhere. Today, the Black Sea is considered one of the most polluted seas on earth. Its ecosystems have become particularly deteriorated in the last decades. Its huge catchment area and its semi-enclosed nature have made the Black Sea highly sensitive to a variety of anthropogenic impacts such as eutrophication, pollution by chemicals, unsustainable fishery, invasive alien species and modification of natural habitats. Several Georgian laws include provisions related to the protection of the Black Sea and its coastal areas, as well as the use of its fish resources. However, all of them are outdated and need improvement. Also, the biodiversity of the Black Sea was not covered in the first NBSAP. Georgia is a party to the Convention on the Protection of the Black Sea Against Pollution (The Bucharest Convention of 1994), and to the Strategic Action Plan for the Environmental Protection and Rehabilitation of the Black Sea (1996, updated in 2009). The latter has been implemented with differing amounts of success in different Black Sea countries. A regional analysis conducted in 2007 showed that it was not or only partially implemented in three countries including Bulgaria, Ukraine and Georgia. 9.1 Description of problems 9.1.1 Eutrophication 9.1.2 Chemical pollution 9.1.3 Unsustainable fishing 9.1.4 Invasive alien species 9.1.5 Modification of natural systems 9.1.6 Pollution by solid waste 9.1.7 Climate change and the Black Sea 9.2 Strategic approach 9.3 Actions in chapter 12 relevant to the thematic area “The biodiversity of the Black Sea”
Technology transfer (TT) is of high importance for India and also in global environmental governa... more Technology transfer (TT) is of high importance for India and also in global environmental governance. This is reflected in horizontal UN goals and instruments as well as in various multilateral environmental agreements. This report addresses the conditions for and the state of technology transfer, with a focus on conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity. It also debates how technology needs in this field are similar to or differ from the needs in other fields of global environmental governance such as climate change and chemicals.
1. At its Tenth Meeting held in Nagoya, Japan from 18-29 October 2010, the Conference of the Part... more 1. At its Tenth Meeting held in Nagoya, Japan from 18-29 October 2010, the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) decided to undertake a thorough revision of NBSAPs and adopted the “Strategic Plan for Biodiversity 2011-2020” (Decision X.2). The CBD COP decided that this Strategic Plan should be executed through the CBD Programmes of Work, implementation of NBSAPs, and other national, regional and international activities.
The assessment provides specific examples of national actions suggested in the revised NBSAPs, an... more The assessment provides specific examples of national actions suggested in the revised NBSAPs, and a set of generic recommendations for countries that are still to finalize their NBSAPs. The key outcomes of the review to be considered by countries finalizing their post-2010 NBSAPs
The research presented in this policy brief is part of the POLGOV: Science and Business in Arctic... more The research presented in this policy brief is part of the POLGOV: Science and Business in Arctic Environmental Governance project, which was supported by the POLARPROG section of the Norwegian Research Council (project #48862).
The distribution of legal authority to protect biodiversity in marine areas beyond national juris... more The distribution of legal authority to protect biodiversity in marine areas beyond national jurisdiction (ABNJ) between the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) and the UN Law of the Sea Convention (LOSC) has been a contentious issue. In practice, main responsibility has been allocated to LOSC, under which a new implementing agreement on conservation and sustainable use of marine biodiversity of areas beyond national jurisdiction (BBNJ) is currently being negotiated. CBD was allocated responsibility for providing scientific information and advice on marine biodiversity, which has resulted in the identification and description of 321 Ecologically or Biologically Significant Marine Areas (EBSAs) worldwide, within and beyond national jurisdiction. These could provide important scientific backing for a coming BBNJ instrument under LOSC, especially as regards the designation of marine protected areas and the conduct of environmental impact assessments in ABNJ. However, the process of...
ABSTRACT 8 INLAND WATER ECOSYSTEMS Georgia is rich in inland water resources. There are more than... more ABSTRACT 8 INLAND WATER ECOSYSTEMS Georgia is rich in inland water resources. There are more than 26,000 rivers, about 860 lakes, 12 water reservoirs and numerous fish farming ponds. The inland waters of Georgia are inhabited by more than 80 species of fish, 100 known species of crustaceans and 58 species of molluscs. (Data on other groups of aquatic invertebrates are inaccurate and unreliable).There are more than 2,600 species of algae. The wetland ecosystems of the Kolkheti lowlands and the Javakheti plateau are important habitats for migratory birds. Up to300 species of birds have been recorded in the Kolkheti protected areas and adjacent territories and 91 species are found in the lakes of Javakheti. There is a legal framework for the conservation and sustainable use of wetlands in Georgia. The country is a party to international agreements such as the Ramsar Convention and the Convention on Migratory Species (CMS). However, the legislation still needs substantial improvement and there are many shortcomings in respect of law enforcement. Many wetlands are not protected and/or are not managed sustainably and are continuing to be modified as a result of anthropogenic factors. The problem is compounded by invasive species. These factors contribute to the fragmentation of wetland ecosystems and have a serious impact on the biodiversity of inland waters, including water birds. The existing legislation needs to be improved and regulatory mechanisms for effective control need to be developed in order to ensure the conservation and sustainable use of the biological resources of the country’s inland waters. 8.1 Description of problems 8.1.1 Pollution 8.1.2 Illegal fishing 8.1.3 Harvest in inland waters 8.1.4 The Impact of infrastructure development 8.1.5 Aquaculture in the inland waters of Georgia 8.1.6 Invasive species 8.1.7 Lack of information 8.2 Strategic approach 8.3 Actions in chapter 12 relevant to the thematic area “Inland water ecosystems” 9 THE BIODIVERSITY OF THE BLACK SEA The Black Sea has a 2 million-square-kilometre basin that covers almost one third of continental Europe. Hence, the rivers that flow into the Black Sea bring huge quantities of sediment into it. This sea is relatively poor in species diversity because of both the limited availability of habitable layers and the substantial difference in water temperature and salinity compared to the Mediterranean Sea. The less hospitable environments of the Black Sea and its general isolation have resulted in the development of specific features in its inhabitants. These features are not found in any of the species’ close relatives or even in their conspecific populations elsewhere. Today, the Black Sea is considered one of the most polluted seas on earth. Its ecosystems have become particularly deteriorated in the last decades. Its huge catchment area and its semi-enclosed nature have made the Black Sea highly sensitive to a variety of anthropogenic impacts such as eutrophication, pollution by chemicals, unsustainable fishery, invasive alien species and modification of natural habitats. Several Georgian laws include provisions related to the protection of the Black Sea and its coastal areas, as well as the use of its fish resources. However, all of them are outdated and need improvement. Also, the biodiversity of the Black Sea was not covered in the first NBSAP. Georgia is a party to the Convention on the Protection of the Black Sea Against Pollution (The Bucharest Convention of 1994), and to the Strategic Action Plan for the Environmental Protection and Rehabilitation of the Black Sea (1996, updated in 2009). The latter has been implemented with differing amounts of success in different Black Sea countries. A regional analysis conducted in 2007 showed that it was not or only partially implemented in three countries including Bulgaria, Ukraine and Georgia. 9.1 Description of problems 9.1.1 Eutrophication 9.1.2 Chemical pollution 9.1.3 Unsustainable fishing 9.1.4 Invasive alien species 9.1.5 Modification of natural systems 9.1.6 Pollution by solid waste 9.1.7 Climate change and the Black Sea 9.2 Strategic approach 9.3 Actions in chapter 12 relevant to the thematic area “The biodiversity of the Black Sea”
Technology transfer (TT) is of high importance for India and also in global environmental governa... more Technology transfer (TT) is of high importance for India and also in global environmental governance. This is reflected in horizontal UN goals and instruments as well as in various multilateral environmental agreements. This report addresses the conditions for and the state of technology transfer, with a focus on conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity. It also debates how technology needs in this field are similar to or differ from the needs in other fields of global environmental governance such as climate change and chemicals.
1. At its Tenth Meeting held in Nagoya, Japan from 18-29 October 2010, the Conference of the Part... more 1. At its Tenth Meeting held in Nagoya, Japan from 18-29 October 2010, the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) decided to undertake a thorough revision of NBSAPs and adopted the “Strategic Plan for Biodiversity 2011-2020” (Decision X.2). The CBD COP decided that this Strategic Plan should be executed through the CBD Programmes of Work, implementation of NBSAPs, and other national, regional and international activities.
The assessment provides specific examples of national actions suggested in the revised NBSAPs, an... more The assessment provides specific examples of national actions suggested in the revised NBSAPs, and a set of generic recommendations for countries that are still to finalize their NBSAPs. The key outcomes of the review to be considered by countries finalizing their post-2010 NBSAPs
The research presented in this policy brief is part of the POLGOV: Science and Business in Arctic... more The research presented in this policy brief is part of the POLGOV: Science and Business in Arctic Environmental Governance project, which was supported by the POLARPROG section of the Norwegian Research Council (project #48862).
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