Nagoya Protocol compliance and benefit sharing

One line

India accounted for 3,561 of 6,311 internationally recognised certificates of compliance under the Nagoya Protocol, reflecting its use of access and benefit-sharing procedures.

Summary

Biological resources and associated traditional knowledge can support research and commercial products. The Nagoya framework seeks fair sharing of benefits while giving users legal certainty and recognising provider-country rules.

PYQ pattern

UPSC may connect the protocol with biodiversity governance, traditional knowledge, biopiracy, local communities, and international environmental agreements.

Core notes

The Nagoya Protocol operates under the Convention on Biological Diversity.
Access and benefit sharing commonly relies on prior informed consent and mutually agreed terms.
An internationally recognised certificate of compliance provides evidence that access followed applicable procedures.
The release noted that 142 countries were registered on the Access and Benefit-Sharing Clearing-House, while 34 had issued such certificates.

Prelims lens

The Nagoya Protocol concerns access to genetic resources and fair, equitable benefit sharing.
It is distinct from the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety.
India's National Biodiversity Authority is a statutory body under biodiversity law.

MCQ 1

The Nagoya Protocol is associated with:

A. Nuclear safety
B. Access to genetic resources and benefit sharing
C. Ozone-depleting substances
D. International civil aviation

Reveal answer

B

It provides an international framework for access and fair sharing of benefits arising from genetic resources.

MCQ 2

Consider the following pairs:

Nagoya Protocol: Access and benefit sharing
Cartagena Protocol: Biosafety

A. 1 only
B. 2 only
C. Both 1 and 2
D. Neither 1 nor 2

Reveal answer

C

Both protocols operate under the Convention on Biological Diversity but address different areas.

Mains

Question, 10 marks, 150 words: How can access and benefit-sharing rules reconcile biodiversity conservation, community rights, and scientific innovation?

Approach:

Explain genetic resources, traditional knowledge, and benefit sharing.
Discuss consent, mutually agreed terms, and compliance certificates.
Identify transaction costs, traceability, community participation, and research concerns.
Suggest transparent procedures, digital records, and timely sharing of monetary and non-monetary benefits.