Convention on biological diversity

Abstract

The erosion of biological diversity pertains to the category of problems that are brought to the fore in ddebated universesT.There are scientific controversies about their definition, import and possible solutions and they involve opposing economicinterests and political strategies. A dconventionT–commonly shared values, set of definitions, rules and norms–implying acompromise among various actors and groups is needed to define and enforce policies. The Convention on biological diversitycan be seen as an attempt to define such a middle ground. The rights and policy orientations it promotes are however challengedby overlapping norms and rules enacted in other arenas, such as the WTO. The purpose of this paper is to take up aconventionalist stance on the complex international regime that governs biodiversity management and conservation policies.