Sunset over the desert near Yulara in Central Australia. Photo: Arthur Mostead
The United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) is one of three international environment agreements that emerged from the Rio Earth Summit held in 1992.
The other two agreements are:
- the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, and
- the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification.
Australia has been a Party to the CBD since 1993 and is committed to implementing its obligations in accordance with its national priorities.
The CBD is an international legally-binding treaty with three objectives:
- The conservation of biodiversity
- The sustainable use of its components
- The fair and equitable sharing of the benefits arising from the use of genetic resources.
- More about the Convention on Biological Diversity
Preparations are underway for a new Post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework
Negotiations are underway for a new Post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework to replace the CBD’s current Strategic Plan and its Aichi Biodiversity Targets. It is anticipated that the next meeting of the Conference of the Parties, scheduled for 7-19 December 2022 in Montreal, Canada, will adopt the Framework. The Framework will set global 2030 biodiversity targets and 2050 goals.
Australia's Strategy for Nature 2019-2030
The CBD provides an important framework for Australia's integration of natural resources and environment and biodiversity management policies. Under the CBD all parties are required to have a national biodiversity strategy and action plan. Since becoming a Party to the CBD over 20 years ago, the Australian Government, all States and Territories and local Government have been operating under a national biodiversity strategy and action plan.
Australia’s national biodiversity strategy and action plan was last updated in 2019 in preparation for the new Post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework. Australia’s Strategy for Nature 2019-2030 was developed jointly by the Australian Government, all state and territory governments, and the Australian Local Government Association.
National reporting
Parties are required to report on national implementation of the Convention, including the global targets included in the CBD’s Strategic Plan, and implementation of national biodiversity strategies.
Australia's reports:
- Australia's Sixth National Report to the Convention on Biological Diversity
- Australia's Fifth National Report to the Convention on Biological Diversity
- Australia's Fourth National Report to the Convention on Biological Diversity
- Australia's Third National Report to the Convention on Biological Diversity
- Australia's Second National Report to the Convention on Biological Diversity
- Australia's First National Report to the Convention on Biological Diversity