BioTrade & Sustainable Use

As the implementation of the three objectives of the Convention on Biological Diversity (conservation of biodiversity, sustainable use of its components and equitable benefit sharing of benefits generated from its use) is the very aim of BioTrade, BTFP is supporting actors along the selected value chains in the implementation of good practices to achieve these objectives.

Taking into account that Conservation and Sustainable Use are two of the three objectives of the CBD, as well as principles 1 and 2 of BioTrade, BTFP is carrying out activities to support actors along the selected value chains in the implementation of good practices to achieve these objectives.

In order to involve the private sector and other stakeholders in the implementation of activities that contribute to the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity, the BioTrade Facilitation Programme has supported the implementation of sector strategies, which involve different conservation and sustainable-use practices according to the type of product and the potential impact of the productive systems on biodiversity.

The implementation of such activities involves the implementation of national regulations, development of cost-effective management plans, definition of good practices for each type of product and the alignment of practices in local conservation efforts, among others.

Depending on the needs of the sector, different strategies are used to implement good practices along the value chain. For example, in the context of the natural ingredients value chain, quality is directly linked to the sustainable use of raw materials. Industries' need for raw materials that comply with the requirements of quality and traceability need to have a more direct control over the areas where these raw materials are collected or cultivated, and, in the same way, increase the knowledge of providers, producers and improve the practices they use to manage, transport or process the species. In this way, the development and implementation of guidelines to support companies in management plans and good agricultural practices has been a strategy to ensure quality and sustainability.

Results of the experience of BTFP show that the implementation of conservation and sustainable use objectives depends on the development of solutions that respond to the needs of the relevant stakeholders of the value chain and the direct involvement of these actors.

BioTrade Principles and Criteria

Conservation and sustainable-use practices