Abstract
The concepts of sustainability and participation are enshrined in international environmental law. They have strongly influenced its development and can take on different nuances depending on the environmental issue considered. In this chapter we focus on biodiversity law and explore the meaning and implications of sustainability and participation in the framework of three biodiversity conventions: the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD); the Convention on Wetlands of International Importance Especially as Waterfowl Habitats (the Ramsar Convention); and the Convention for the Protection of World and Natural Heritage (the World Heritage Convention – WHC).
Our analysis shows that there is a clear correlation between sustainability and participation in the practice of these treaties. Participation of all stakeholders concerned, especially indigenous peoples and local communities, is a prerequisite for realising conservation and sustainable use of natural resources and integrating biodiversity in development activities. Participation is also seen as a precondition for guaranteeing equity in representation and recognition of relevant stakeholders and their interests and is thus instrumental for the realisation of intra-generational equity and the more social aspects of sustainability. Furthermore, the equity aspects of sustainability, such as capacity-building or the provision of resources enabling the presence of local actors in international meetings, are instrumental in operationalising participation.
In summary, participation and sustainability appear to be complementary. The involvement of relevant stakeholders can accelerate the move towards sustainable development by ensuring equity in decision-making, sustainable use from a short and long-term perspective, and integration of all relevant interests and needs. Moreover, sustainability cannot overlook participation if it aims at effective and long-lasting results in terms of biodiversity conservation.