Framework
In order to turn trade into a positive incentive measure for biodiversity conservation, the UNCTAD BioTrade Initiative together with partners and beneficiary countries, is addressing the policy environment, supply capacity and market access through an intervention strategy that targets different problems at different levels of intervention. The context, implementation levels and applications of the BioTrade Principles is as follows:
Value Chain Approach
Why use a "Value Chain"?
In the context of BioTrade, the value chain approach is used as a tool to establish a joint vision and identify common needs and existing supply capacity and market barriers in order to develop intervention strategies. The value chain approach facilitates, among others: the articulation among actors in a value chain; the involvement of good practices related to sustainable use and conservation; and the equitable sharing of environmental, social and economic benefits among participants.
A value chain involves alliances among producers, processors, distributors, traders, regulatory and support institutions, which, departing from a market demand for their products and services, establish a joint vision to identify mutual needs. They work jointly with the aim of adding value in each stage required to obtain a sustainably biodiversity-based product or service. Value chain actors are willing to share the associated risks and benefits, as well as to invest time, energy, and resources in realising these goals.
Adaptive Management
The "adaptive management" considers that the identification of impacts on species and ecosystems as well as the continual improvement of BioTrade Initiatives are crucial for the implementation of sustainable practices. This approach allows the implementation of corrective measures in systems on an ongoing basis, based on a process of continued monitoring. In the case of management of biological resources, adaptive management is different from the monitoring of the impacts (environmental, social and economic) on the ecosystems and populations resulting from the use of biological resources. (Convention for Biodiversity Diversity, Addis Ababa Guidelines and Principles for the Sustainable Use of Biodiversity, 2004).
In the context of BioTrade, adaptive management contributes to the implementation of sustainable practices, the identification of impacts on species and ecosystems and the continual improvement of BioTrade initiatives. For instance, the BioTrade Initiative is supporting the elaboration of management plans as a tool to help BioTrade value chain actors to implement the Principles and Criteria. Management plans are also developed according to the ecosystem approach.
Guidelines for the elaboration of management plans for wild collected species have been developed by UNCTAD BioTrade. The guidelines use a participatory approach that facilitates the exchange of information among collectors, intermediaries and companies. It follows five steps:
- Step 1. Identification of collection areas and collectors;
- Step 2. Assessment of managed resources;
- Step 3. Definition of good practices to be implemented;
- Step 4. Definition of follow-up and monitoring systems; and
- Step 5. Implementation of documentation systems.
Ecosystem Approach
The ecosystem approach is based on a holistic vision that integrates ecological and social issues, as well as the interactions and processes that are involved in a productive system. In practice, the planning of productive processes related to BioTrade initiatives is undertaken according to the ecosystem approach. This guarantees that the initiatives will be environmentally and socially responsible with regard to their impact on species, habitats and local communities.
The ecosystem system approach is core for the development and implementation of management plans, as well as for the selection, assessment, development and strengthening of BioTrade value chains.
