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The Protocol on Conservation and Sustainable Use of Biological and Landscape Diversity (Bucharest, 2008)

dziwiecsil TatryPhoto. UNEP/GRID-Warsaw Centre

The Protocol on Conservation and Sustainable Use of Biological and Landscape Diversity (Bucharest, 2008) is the first thematic protocol to the Framework Carpathian Convention. Moreover, until today, it is the only thematic protocol in force for all Parties to the Convention.

The Protocol on Conservation and Sustainable Use of Biological and Landscape Diversity (often abbreviated as the Biodiversity Protocol) was adopted on 19 June 2008 in Bucharest, at the 2nd Meeting of the Conference of the Parties (COP2) to the Carpathian Convention. Poland was among the five Parties, which signed the Protocol on the day of its adoption. Since 4 July 2013, when it came into force for Serbia, the Biodiversity Protocol is in force for seven Carpathian countries.

This Protocol entered into force for Poland on 28 April 2010, and upon its publication in the Journal of Laws of the Republic of Poland (Dz.U. 2010 vol. 90 item 591) became part of the Polish national legal system.

The thematic scope of the Biodiversity Protocol includes:

  • conservation, maintenance, restoration and sustainable use of natural and semi-natural habitats (Article 8) and the restoration of degraded habitats (Article 10)
  • continuity and connectivity of natural and semi-natural habitats, ecological network in the Carpathians (Article 9)
  • conservation and sustainable use of species of flora and fauna of the Carpathians (Article 11), including endangered species, endemic species, and large carnivores of the Carpathians (Article 12)
  • prevention of the introduction of invasive alien species and/or genetically modified organisms threatening ecosystems, habitats or species, their control or eradication (Article 13)
  • cooperation under the Carpathian Network of Protected Areas (Article 14)
  • enhancing conservation and sustainable management in the areas outside of protected areas (Article 15)
  • consultation, harmonisation and coordination of measures undertaken in border areas (Article 16)
  • development and implementation of management plans (Article 17)
  • harmonisation of environmental monitoring systems, and development of a joint information system on biological and landscape diversity in the Carpathians (Article 18)
  • coordinated scientific research and exchange of information (Article 19)

More information on the “Biodiversity” Protocol and related activities at the website of the Carpathian Convention. 

In 2011 the 3rd Meeting of the Conference of the Parties (COP3) to the Framework Carpathian Convention adopted the common Strategic Action Plan for the implementation of the Protocol.

In 2014-2016 under the Carpathians Unite project the draft National Action Plan for the implementation of the Biodiversity Protocol in Poland has been elaborated with the participation of the major stakeholder groups (e.g. nature conservation and regional authorities), later consulted with the local self-government authorities of 200 municipalities within the geographic scope of application of the Carpathian Convention in Poland, and submitted for approval by the Minister of Environment in December 2016. It is the first ever, and so far the only draft National Action Plan prepared in the process of the Carpathian Convention implementation.

More information on the draft National Action Plan prepared in Poland.