The use and conservation of biodiversity has become one of the leading issues discussed during international meetings. A number of legal instruments cover the various aspects of managing biodiversity.
Internationally
- The 1972 UNESCO Convention states that biological resources such as plants are considered as a common heritage of humanity.
- The 1992 Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro focused more on implementation, offering a general legal framework for the notion of biodiversity, through the signature of the Convention on Biological Diversity.
- At the 2002 Earth Summit in Johannesburg, the various parties signing the Convention on Biological Diversity set themselves the goal of significantly reducing the loss of biodiversity by 2010, a deadline referred to as "Objective 2010". In October 2010, the countries who have signed this convention will discuss the limitations they have encountered at a national level, the new challenges facing the planet and the outlook for the future.
- 2010: International Year for Biodiveristy. The UN declared 2010 as the international year for biodiversity to raise public awareness of these challenges.
- 2011: International Year for Forests. Continuing on from the year for biodiversity, forests were chosen in 2011. The objective was to fight deforestation by promoting the sustainable management of forests.
In Europe
The biodiversity strategy in the European Union began with the Birds Directive of 1979 and the Natural Habitats Directive of 1992. Together, these two directives formed the basis for the Natura 2000 network comprised of 26,000 sites in Europe which are home to endangered species or environments, or sites of European importance and benefiting from special protection. The purpose of this network is twofold: to preserve biological diversity and to enhance the natural heritage of our regions.
In France
In conformity with the guidelines of the Convention on Biological Diversity which France ratified in 1994, in 2004 our country adopted its National Biodiversity Strategy. The key aim of the French strategy is to stop the loss of biodiversity by 2010.
This strategy has been further encouraged by the Grenelle Environnement, of which it is one of the key themes. New commitments have been undertaken in order to inform and influence public opinion, and take action right now in order to stop the erosion of our biodiversity. In particular, we should mention the creation of a Green & Blue Corridor system by 2012. This will guarantee continuity and proximity among natural environments, enabling species to circulate and interact, and making it possible for the ecosystems to operate properly. The other major theme is that of ensuring a return to good water quality by halving the use of pesticides in 10 years, in addition to the expansion of organic and sustainable farming.
At a local level, a number of area councils have already taken measures to protect this precious resource. Many activities, such as the local "Agenda 21s" or the signature of the regional biodiversity charter are being carried out in a true spirit of partnership, aimed at encouraging sustainable development for our natural areas and offering our citizens the opportunity to discover them.
