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SBSTTA 16 Recommendation XVI/12

XVI/12.New and emerging issues relating to the conservation and sustainable use of biological diversity

The Subsidiary Body on Scientific, Technical and Technological Advice,
Having examined the submissions made in response to the invitation to propose new and emerging issues relating to the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity,
Having discussed the issue of “geoengineering: impacts on biodiversity and gaps in existing regulatory mechanisms” under the agenda item on biodiversity and climate change and made separate recommendations on this issue,
Recalling paragraph 16 of decision X/37, in which the Conference of the Parties urged Parties and other Governments to apply the precautionary approach in accordance with the Preamble to the Convention, and the Cartagena Protocol, to the introduction and use of living modified organisms for the production of biofuels as well as to the field release of synthetic life, cell, or genome into the environment, acknowledging the entitlement of Parties, in accordance with domestic legislation, to suspend the release of synthetic life, cell, or genome into the environment,
1.Takes note of the technical information on the impact of ground-level ozone on biodiversity contained in the annex to the note by the Executive Secretary on new and emerging issues relating to the conservation and sustainable use of biological diversity (UNEP/CBD/SBSTTA/16/13);
2.Recommends that the Conference of the Parties adopts a decision along the following lines:
The Conference of the Parties
1.Takes note of the proposals for new and emerging issues relating to the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity as contained in the note by the Executive Secretary on New and emerging issues relating to the conservation of biodiversity prepared for the sixteenth meeting of the Subsidiary Body (UNEP/CBD/SBSTTA/16/13);
2.Noting the effects of tropospheric ozone as a greenhouse gas and the potential contribution of its reduction in mitigating climate change, noting also its impacts on human health and on biodiversity, noting further relevant work on this issue undertaken under the auspices of regional processes, decides to include the consideration of the impacts of tropospheric ozone in the programme of work on the interlinkages of biodiversity and climate change and requests the Executive Secretary to report on progress to a future meeting of the Subsidiary Body on Scientific, Technical and Technological Advice where biodiversity and climate change is on the agenda;
Option 1
[3.Decides not to add any of the proposed new and emerging issues relating to the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity to the agenda of the Subsidiary Body on Scientific, Technical and Technological Advice;]
Option 2
[3.Noting, on the basis of precautionary approach, and aware of the need to consider the potential positive and negative impacts of products and organisms derived from synthetic biology on the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity and requests the Executive Secretary to:
(a)Compile and synthesize relevant available information, based on all knowledge systems, and submissions from Parties, other Governments, relevant international organizations, indigenous and local communities and other stakeholders, to consider if there are:
(i)Possible impacts of synthetic biology [techniques,] organisms and products on biodiversity including social, economic and cultural considerations relevant to the objectives of the Convention;
(ii)Possible gaps and overlaps with the applicable provisions of the Convention and its Protocols and other relevant agreements;
(b)Make the information from the above studies available for consideration at a meeting of the Subsidiary Body on Scientific, Technical and Technological Advice prior to the twelfth meeting of the Conference of the Parties;
3 bis.Invites Parties, other Governments, relevant international organizations, indigenous and local communities and other stakeholders to submit relevant information on the possible impacts of synthetic biology techniques, organisms and products on biodiversity and associated social, economic and cultural considerations;]
Option 3
[3.Noting that the process established for identifying new and emerging issues relating to the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity, contained in decision IX/29, requires refinement, and based on the information provided in document UNEP/CBD/SBSTTA/16/13, the Subsidiary Body on Scientific, Technical and Technological Advice was not able to make a judgment to recommend adding at its sixteenth meeting any of the proposed new and emerging issues proposed relating to the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity to the agenda of the Subsidiary Body on Scientific, Technical and Technological Advice as a new and emerging issue;
3 bis.Invites Parties, other Governments, relevant international organizations, indigenous and local communities and other stakeholders to submit additional relevant information, including peer-reviewed scientific information and information from different knowledge systems, on the possible impacts of synthetic biology techniques, organisms and products on biodiversity and associated social, economic and cultural considerations in accordance with paragraphs 11 and 12 of the procedure for identifying new and emerging issues (decision IX/29) and requests the Executive Secretary, based on this and other relevant compiled information, to prepare and make available for peer review a synthesis report, including applicable provisions of the Convention and its Protocols, for consideration by a meeting of the Subsidiary Body on Scientific, Technical and Technological Advice prior to the twelfth meeting of the Conference of the Parties;]
[4.Urges Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity, in accordance with the precautionary approach, which is key when dealing with new and emerging scientific and technological issues, to ensure that synthetic genetic parts and living modified organisms produced by synthetic biology are not released into the environment or approved for commercial use until there is an adequate scientific basis on which to justify such activities and due consideration is given to the associated risks for biological diversity, also including socio-economic risks and risks to the environment, human health, food security, livelihoods, culture and traditional knowledge, practices and innovations;]
5.In line with decision IX/29, requests the Executive Secretary to include, with the compilation of original submissions and the information and views on each proposed new and emerging issue relating to the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity, a review of information applying the criteria contained in paragraph 12 of decision IX/29, where this has not been otherwise provided, with a view to enabling the Subsidiary Body on Scientific, Technical and Technological Advice to consider the proposals.

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  • United Nations
  • United Nations Environment Programme