Certifying Biodiversity: The Union for Ethical BioTrade and the Search for Ethical Sourcing

Drossos Stamboulakis; Jay Sanderson

doi:10.1093/jel/eqaa013

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Certifying Biodiversity: The Union for Ethical BioTrade and the Search for Ethical Sourcing

Journal article

Peer reviewed

Certifying Biodiversity: The Union for Ethical BioTrade and the Search for Ethical Sourcing

Drossos Stamboulakis and Jay Sanderson

Journal of Environmental Law, Vol.32(3), pp.503-528

2020

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1093/jel/eqaa013

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Abstract

Law

Environmental and Natural Resources Law

biodiversity

BioTrade

certification

Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD)

ethical sourcing

public-private regulation

Union for Ethical BioTrade (UEBT)

This article is concerned with the potential for private action to improve sourcing practices to promote biodiversity. More specifically this article examines the Union for Ethical BioTrade (UEBT) and its verification and certification of ‘sourcing with respect’: that is, sourcing ingredients from biodiversity in a way that is respectful to both the local environment and people. While key international biodiversity treaties and instruments—such as the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) and Nagoya Protocol—encourage public actors to work with private actors to develop methods for the sustainable use of biological resources, our examination of UEBT shows that there are concerns over the standards, implementation and enforcement of private initiatives. In conclusion, we suggest two key ways in which transnational or public/private initiatives can be strengthened. First, via more proactively promoting public/private cooperation, including about how certification is used to reduce inconsistency and consumer overload or confusion. Secondly, by placing greater emphasis on mechanisms that place pressure on supply chain actors to source in ways that promote biodiversity.

Details

Title: Certifying Biodiversity: The Union for Ethical BioTrade and the Search for Ethical Sourcing
Authors: Drossos Stamboulakis (Author) - Monash University
Jay Sanderson (Corresponding Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, School of Law and Criminology - Legacy
Publication details: Journal of Environmental Law, Vol.32(3), pp.503-528
Publisher: Oxford University Press
DOI: 10.1093/jel/eqaa013
ISSN: 1464-374X
Organisation Unit: University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland; School of Law and Criminology - Legacy; School of Law and Society
Language: English
Record Identifier: 99483404702621
Output Type: Journal article

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