19 November 2013
CBD Secretariat Invites Parties’ Submissions on Geo-Engineering-Related Measures
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The Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) has invited parties to submit information on any measures they have undertaken to ensure that no climate-related geo-engineering activities that may affect biodiversity take place, and to address the exception for small-scale scientific research studies contained in CBD Decision X/33, subparagraph 8(w) on geo-engineering.

CBD12 November 2013: The Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) has invited parties to submit information on any measures they have undertaken to ensure that no climate-related geo-engineering activities that may affect biodiversity take place, and to address the exception for small-scale scientific research studies contained in CBD Decision X/33, subparagraph 8(w) on geo-engineering.

Information on measures to ensure that no climate-related geo-engineering activities that may affect biodiversity take place until there is an adequate scientific basis to justify such activities and appropriate consideration of the associated risks for the environment and biodiversity and associated social, economic and cultural impacts, as well as on measures that address the exception for small-scale scientific research studies, is to be submitted by 15 February 2014.

The notification provides additional information related to agreed language on geo-engineering in the contribution of Working Group I to the Fifth Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, as well as an amendment to the London Protocol of the London Convention on the Prevention of Marine Pollution by Dumping of Wastes and Other Matter, agreed on 18 October 2013.

The amendment is structured to allow other marine geo-engineering activities to be considered and listed in a new annex in the future, if they fall within the scope of the London Protocol and have the potential to harm the marine environment. It will enter into force 60 days after two-thirds of the Parties to the London Protocol accept it. [CBD Notification][CBD Webpage on Climate-Related Geo-engineering and Biodiversity]