Global Trade, Local Economies, and the Convention on Biological Diversity

The research paper analyzes the Convention on Biological Diversity as a pioneering legal instrument that integrates environmental goals with economic sectors, specifically regarding the trade of genetic resources and the protection of indigenous knowledge.

• The Convention on Biological Diversity is described as an ambitious effort to balance economic and environmental issues, acting as a sustainable trade agreement by requiring that the trade and production of genetic resources remain sustainable.
• The Convention includes innovative provisions to protect the traditional knowledge, innovations, and practices of local and indigenous communities, recognizing that local economies operating under customary rules can be more sustainable than the global economy.
• The author contrasts the Convention's approach with international trade law, which has largely ignored environmental protection, sustainable development, and the rights of indigenous communities.

APA

B., D. (1996). Global Trade, Local Economies, and the Convention on Biological Diversity. Center for International Environmental Law. https://www.ciel.org/reports/global-trade-local-economies-and-the-convention-on-biological-diversity-in-william-j-snape-ed-biodiversity-and-the-law-challenges-and-opportunities-island-press-1996-downes-bw96-6-2/

Chicago

B., Downes,. Global Trade, Local Economies, and the Convention on Biological Diversity. Center for International Environmental Law, 1996. https://www.ciel.org/reports/global-trade-local-economies-and-the-convention-on-biological-diversity-in-william-j-snape-ed-biodiversity-and-the-law-challenges-and-opportunities-island-press-1996-downes-bw96-6-2/.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |last1=B. |first1=Downes, |title=Global Trade, Local Economies, and the Convention on Biological Diversity |publisher=Center for International Environmental Law |date=1 January 1996 |url=https://www.ciel.org/reports/global-trade-local-economies-and-the-convention-on-biological-diversity-in-william-j-snape-ed-biodiversity-and-the-law-challenges-and-opportunities-island-press-1996-downes-bw96-6-2/ |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{b1996global, author = {B., Downes,}, title = {{Global Trade, Local Economies, and the Convention on Biological Diversity}}, institution = {Center for International Environmental Law}, year = {1996}, month = jan, url = {https://www.ciel.org/reports/global-trade-local-economies-and-the-convention-on-biological-diversity-in-william-j-snape-ed-biodiversity-and-the-law-challenges-and-opportunities-island-press-1996-downes-bw96-6-2/}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }