Launch of New Working Paper: Advancing Human Rights-based Approached to Target 3 Implementation

Self-selected individuals in the Human Rights and Biodiversity Working Group (HRBWG) and participants in the International Expert Workshop on Advancing Rights and Equity in Conservation (Nanyuki, Kenya, 2024) contributed to the drafting of this document.

They include: Jessica Campese (CEESP), Aquilas Koko Ngomo (ICCA Consortium), Barbara Lassen (IIED), Jazzy Rasolojaona (Natural Justice), Jenny Springer (Equator Group), Helen Tugendhat (FPP), Ioannis Agapakis (ClientEarth), Nela Cernota (UNOHCHR), Florian Doerr (GIZ), Pasang Dolma Sherpa (CEESP & CIPRED), Cristina Eghenter (WWF), Phil Franks (IIED), Mayté González (IUCN), Georgina Gurney (James Cook University), Terence Hay-Edie (UNDP), Nele Marien (FoEI), Giovanni Reyes (Philippine ICCA Consortium), María Carolina Rodríguez Acero (ICCA Consortium), Rob Small (Fauna & Flora), Vivienne Solis (CoopeSoliDar R.L), Krystyna Swiderska (IIED), and Meenal Tatpati (Women4Biodiversity).

This working paper explores concepts, considerations, and approaches to advance rights in the context of area-based conservation. Its purpose is to provide a practical resource on HRBAs for actors responsible for, participating in, and potentially impacted by Target 3 implementation.
 

The paper scope includes area-based conservation considerations and approaches for:

• Avoiding and providing remedy for rights infringements and violations
• Respecting rights-holders’ leadership, contributions, and equal partnership
• Contributing to enjoyment of human rights and equity, including by upholding responsibilities for a sustainable environment and equitable distribution of benefits, with intergenerational justice

Addressing this broad scope of issues requires decisions and actions at both site- and system-levels10 and across multiple aspects of Target 3 implementation, including to:

• Transform power relationships and narratives in ways that advance rights and equity
• Ensure that designation, identification, and recognition of conserved areas upholds human rights norms, through three pathways 
• Enhance rights and equity in the governance and management of area-based conservation sites and systems

The paper aims to contribute to the Road Map for Advancing Rights and Equity in Conservation and to complement the guide ‘From Agreements to Actions’, which focuses on an HRBA to the GBF as a whole.

Read the working paper here: