CBD Seeks Views on Guidelines for Considering Biodiversity in Marine and Coastal Assessments

11 May 2012: Following a recommendation by the 16th meeting of the Subsidiary Body on Scientific, Technical and Technological Advice (SBSTTA 16), the Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) has invited governments and relevant organizations to submit their views on the draft voluntary guidelines for the consideration of biodiversity in environmental impact assessments (EIAs) and strategic environmental assessments (SEAs) in marine and coastal areas.

The draft guidelines are based upon the CBD Voluntary Guidelines on biodiversity-inclusive EIAs, endorsed in Decision VIII/28. They are structured in accordance with the internationally accepted sequence of procedural steps characterizing good-practice EIA, and aim at a better integration of biodiversity-related considerations into the EIA process for marine and coastal areas, including marine areas beyond national jurisdiction. The deadline for submission of comments is 30 June 2012. [CBD Notification] [Draft Guidelines]