WHO OWNS BIODIVERSITY?

A Brief Description of the Debate over the Rights to Biological Diversity in the North-South Context; by Beatrix Tappeser and Alexandra Baier, Öko-Institut Freiburg; published by the Heinrich Boell Foundation 2000.

This publication briefly introduces the various agreements on biological diversity and appropriate ways to deal with the issue. It describes the primary international instruments and forums and how the interests of the industrialised and developing countries clash sharply in this respect, while non-governmental organisations worldwide are fighting for effective preservation endeavors, and for a sustainable use of biological diversity which deserves description with that adjective. The publication makes clear which contradictions and discordant aspects exist between the various agreements as well as the focus of the current political debate.

[ pdf; 27 pages ]