Categories Convention on Biological Biodiversity, Global, ICCA on the international level, Indigenous people’s rights and human rights, Publications, World

From Agreements to Actions: A guide to applying a human rights-based approach to the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework

A guide to offer additional support and specific examples for Parties, decision-makers, non-state actors, and rights holders involved in biodiversity policy on implementing a human rights-based approach in the Global Biodiversity Framework

First published on 10/24/2024

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Adopting the Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF, or the ‘Biodiversity Plan’) under the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) in 2022 marked a significant advance in integrating human rights into environmental policy and actions.

Parties have agreed that the “implementation of the Framework should follow a human rights-based approach, respecting, protecting, promoting and fulfilling human rights.” 1 This guide is specifically designed to provide additional support and concrete examples for Parties, decision-makers, non-state actors, and rights holders involved in biodiversity policy on implementing a human rights-based approach in the GBF.

This guide is compiled with a specific purpose: to provide additional support and concrete examples for Parties and decision-makers, non-state actors, and rights holders on how to meet the commitment to embed a human rights-based approach in the implementation and monitoring of the GBF at national and sub-national levels.2

It prioritizes clear information on relevant human rights standards and norms and practical steps for translating these norms into national and subnational decision-making. Importantly, it considers the cultural, social, political, and economic diversity, ensuring an inclusive approach to biodiversity policy.

This guide aims to provide a concise resource, signposting key elements. Additional references are provided to provide more comprehensive, specific guidance in each section of the guide.

This guide’s approach to the subject is expected to complement the work of other expert bodies, notably the Office of the High Commissioner on Human Rights (OHCHR) and the multiple Special Procedures and mandate holders within that office. 

These, and others, are cited below.

1 CBD (2022), Global Biodiversity Framework, CBD/COP/DEC/15/4, Section C, paragraph (g), see: www.cbd.int/gbf/introduction

2 Individuals involved in the drafting of this guide include Helen Tugendhat (FPP), Cristina Eghenter (WWF International), Jessica Campese (CEESP), Jazzy Rasolojaona (Natural Justice), Georgina Catacora-Vargas (Academic Peasant Unit “Tiahuanacu” of the BC University), Opi Outhwaite (Business, Human Rights and Environment Research Centre, University of Greenwich), Marina Venancio (IUCN World Commission on Environmental Law), Amelia Arreguin (CBD Women’s Caucus & FPP), Phil Franks (IIED), Barbara Lassen (IIED), Josefa Tauli (GYBN), Alexandra Masako Goossens-Ishii (SGI), Lou Darriet (SwedBio) Pernilla Malmer, (SwedBio), Philip Seufert (FIAN International), Noelle Kumpel (BirdLife International), Jenny Springer (Equator Group), Mrinalini Rai (Women4Biodiversity), Vivienne Solis Rivera (ICSF, ICCA Consortium, CoopeSoliDar R.L), Johanna von Braun (ILC) and Nela Cernota (OHCHR).

The result is a collective offer of multiple good-faith efforts to support a human rights-based approach to the GBF. The result does not necessarily reflect any specific individual’s views and does not represent the organizational positions of any of the organizations in which we work.


Further Reading

  • FOURTH BRIEFING PAPER by the Human Rights in Biodiversity working group: A Rights-based Path for People and Planet, available here
  • THIRD BRIEFING PAPER by the Human Rights in Biodiversity working group: Implementing a human rights based approach: A briefing for the post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework, available here
  • SECOND BRIEFING PAPER by the Human Rights in Biodiversity working group: Applying a human rights-based approach – Guidance on the application of a human rights-based approach in the post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework, available here
  • FIRST BRIEFING PAPER by the Human Rights in Biodiversity working group: Human Rights in the post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework: Options for integrating a human-rights based approach to achieve the objectives of the Convention on Biological Diversity, available here