What’s the Law of the Sea?

 

The United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) is the “constitution” for the oceans. It divides the oceans into three main zones: territorial sea, exclusive economic zone (EEZ) and high seas. Coastal states have the right to exploit natural resources within their EEZs, but this right comes with the responsibility to protect and preserve the marine environment. Consisting of 320 articles and close to 200 pages, UNCLOS deals with issues such as navigation, sea bed resources, scientific research, and fisheries.

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What’s the Convention on Biological Diversity?

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Also known as the CBD, the Convention aims to conserve biological diversity, meaning variability among species, between species and of ecosystems, promote the sustainable use of its components, and require fair and equitable sharing of the benefits derived from the use of genetic resources. In 2022, the parties to the CBD, which includes almost all countries in the world, have agreed on the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework. The Framework is accompanied by twenty-three targets, including the following notable examples: 

 

Target 2 calls for restoration of at least 30 percent of degraded ecosystems by 2030;

Target 3 commits states to protecting at least 30 percent of terrestrial and marine areas by 2030;

Target 4 requires states to adopt urgent management actions to reduce extinction risk; 

Target 5 calls for sustainable harvesting of wild species that minimizes impacts on non-target species and ecosystems applying the ecosystem approach.

 

Actions towards other targets that address pollution, invasive species, and impacts of climate change and ocean acidification are also going to benefit marine biodiversity.

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