by Ng Sean Fong
In the 1980s, amidst the swift evolution of biotechnology, there was a growing consensus to conserve wild genetic resources.
Through the United Nations, a group of experts convened to explore avenues for the implementation of international legislation to achieve the effective conservation of biological diversity.
At the Rio Earth Summit in 1992, the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) was unveiled. The CBD has three core objectives:
1. The conservation of biological diversity,
2. The sustainable use of the components of biological diversity, and
3. The fair and equitable sharing of benefits arising from the utilisation of genetic resources.
Within 30 days of its announcement, the CBD received signatures from 168 countries.
The countries that agreed to accept and ratify the CBD, thereby consenting to adhere to its provisions, are referred to as Parties to the Convention. Malaysia ratified the CBD in June 1994 and formally became a Party in September of the same year.
The Parties convene every two years at a Conference of Parties (COP) to review the scientific, technological, and technical advances in biological diversity, to adopt and amend any protocols, and to establish additional subsidiary bodies aimed at providing further scientific and technical advice.
To date, the CBD has established several far-reaching protocols, frameworks, and targets, such as the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety, the Nagoya Protocol on Access and Benefit Sharing, as well as the Aichi Biodiversity Targets, which is succeeded by the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework.
The Cartagena Protocol outlines the procedures involving the use of genetically modified organisms to ensure they do not adversely impact biodiversity. The Nagoya Protocol addresses legal issues associated with genetic resources, ensuring that the benefits of genetic resources are shared in a fair and equitable manner.
The Aichi Biodiversity Targets were adopted concurrently with the Nagoya Protocol at the 10th meeting of the Conference of Parties (COP10) in 2010, outlining the goals and targets to stem the loss of biodiversity by 2020. When this was not adequately achieved, the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework was introduced. It aims to galvanise action by all parts of society to halt and reverse biodiversity loss in the short term (by 2030), while stewarding towards nature recovery and humanity living in harmony with nature by 2050.
In the coming days of this month of October, the city of Cali, Colombia, is set to host the 16th Conference of the Parties (COP16) to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) from Oct 21 to Nov 1.
As a prelude to COP16, themed “Peace with Nature”, the Embassy of Colombia in Malaysia recently chaired the “COP 16 Forum Discussion” at the Asia School of Business in Kuala Lumpur on Sept 24. This forum brought together key representatives from the government, industry, non-governmental organisations, and environmental advocates, who shared success stories and case studies on nature conservation and the protection of Malaysia’s biodiversity richness, showcasing successful strategies tailored to key habitats.
The Malaysian Nature Society (MNS), among other organisations, was invited to present its latest initiative, the Rantaian Urban Green Spaces (RUGS) – an endeavour to achieve harmony between nature and urban development.
As we approach COP16, MNS stresses the importance of aligning urban environment management with global biodiversity goals and environmental sustainability, while also nurturing partnerships with indigenous people and local communities living within and around the urban city.
Drawing upon the datasets, research, and experience gained from implementing the RUGS project ever since mid-2022, MNS presented an overview of the present available green spaces found within the Klang Valley, highlighting the concerning trend of diminishing green spaces over the years and its effects on the biodiversity and residents of the Klang Valley.
The urban community is grappling with challenges such as floods, urban heat island effect, and poor accessibility. Given the shrinking green cover and erratic weather patterns caused by climate change, it is almost certain that these issues will recur each passing year with greater frequency and intensity in the coming years.
However, not all is lost. Efforts are being made to conserve, expand, and reconnect our green spaces, through various ways by different actors within Klang Valley. The results of such endeavours include the Kebun Bandar Sungai Bunus, Bangsar Ecological Corridor, Taman Tugu, and Bukit Kiara.
These green spaces are especially important as they still harbour rich biodiversity, including towering dipterocarp trees, native fruiting fig and palm trees that provide refuge and food to wildlife such as pangolins, hornbills, and otters, among others. Yet, their value is often reduced to the glossy images portrayed on billboards candidly displayed by developers, often seen around Klang Valley.
The environment and its biodiversity serve a purpose far beyond mere aesthetic value; they play a crucial role in maintaining the overall health of the environment, and by extension, the quality of life of the people. From the purity of air and water that we consume, to the serenity from recreational activities, and even the simple joy of being surrounded by nature.
Plants, particularly, play a significant role in mitigating climate change by regulating carbon dioxide and oxygen. The leaves and twigs shed by trees decompose to become detritus that serves as food sources for insects on the ground. This interaction, along with the burrowing activities of trees and insects, improves the soil’s health and porosity, allowing rainwater to seep through.
This process not only recharges our groundwater reserves but also minimises the amount of rainwater entering our rivers and streams, thereby preventing flash floods. Meanwhile, pollinators such as bees, birds, and bats flit from flower to flower, enabling the fruiting of our favourite fruits like durians and rambutans. Collectively, these vital functions are referred to as ecosystem services.
The concerted efforts to protect the environment, biodiversity, and ecosystem services must be at the forefront of public awareness. Following Malaysia’s endorsement of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework in 2022, it is essential for every stratum of society to recognise the critical importance of biodiversity, and work towards their protection and recovery, while fostering coexistence between humanity and nature.
In Klang Valley, the RUGS initiative is striving hard to establish natural corridors, envisaging a cohesive biome within the heavily fragmented forest cluster in Klang Valley, paralleling efforts along the Central Forest Spine.
Ng Sean Fong is the Data & Policy Officer at the Malaysian Nature Society (MNS). MNS represents the largest and oldest non-government and civil society environmental organisation, established in 1940. The society has more than 2,000 members in Malaysia and internationally, including 12,000 student members (Kelab Pencinta Alam), with 12 state branches spread across the country, and Singapore.
The views expressed here are the author’s own and do not necessarily reflect those of Twentytwo13.
Source: https://twentytwo13.my/a-snapshot-of-biodiversity-conservation-from-the-past-to-the-present/
