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The problem of invasive alien species (IAS) is the second biggest threat to biodiversity after loss of habitat. Although customary international law obliges States to prevent transboundary environmental harm such as IAS, international law does not clearly articulate these obligations in this context. A potentially helpful mechanism lies in the use of transboundary environmental impact assessment and risk analysis. However, the operation of these processes, within international environmental law, international quarantine law and international trade law has generated obligations that largely remain soft, ill-defined and inconsistent. This situation is counter-productive to preventing or minimizing transboundary harm caused by IAS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The European Community has set itself the stringent policy target of halting all biodiversity loss by 2010. It intends to achieve this target by following a dual strategy. On the one hand, the 1979 Wild Birds Directive and 1992 Habitats Directive are designed to protect important sites housing vulnerable wildlife. On the other hand, biodiversity protection is to be integrated into all other Community policies. The Community views the Common Agricultural Policy as having a vital role in both areas. It provides a mechanism through which much needed Community funding can be channelled into the management of protected wildlife sites. Equally, it also has an important influence upon biodiversity in the wider countryside. This article examines the regulatory measures that have been taken to integrate biodiversity protection into the Community's agricultural policies and assesses whether they are likely to be sufficient to enable the Community to meet its 2010 target. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article explores the links between biodiversity and sustainable human development, on the one hand, and the globally agreed Millennium Development Goals. In particular, it focuses on the important role and contribution that biodiversity and the 1992 United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity can make to ongoing efforts and processes to reduce poverty, hunger, disease and environmental degradation worldwide. Damage to ecosystems, species and habitats, and the loss of biodiversity can and will have a serious impact on human health and development. The future of human development will be closely affected by individual choices and political decisions in industrialized countries. Governments, international financial institutions, the private sector, intergovernmental organizations and non-governmental organizations need to take action to meet their global responsibilities regarding biodiversity conservation, poverty reduction and sustainable development, and their responsibilities to present and future generations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article examines the creation, mandate and institutional profile of the Global Environment Facility (GEF). The conditions of its establishment and scope of its mandate are directly linked to the strengthening of environmental protection and the promotion of sustainable development that took place in the early 1990s. Developed countries were favorable to the creation of a fund of this type as a means of preempting other proposals for the creation of financial mechanisms during the preparations for the Rio Conference on Environment and Development. In 1991, at the time of the establishment of the GEF through its pilot phase, global environmental benefits were understood as covering four main areas: global warming and reduction of greenhouse gas emissions; protection of biological diversity; protection of international waters; and protection of the ozone layer.

Discusses the role of Denmark in the development of case-law of the European Court of Justice on environmental issues. Status of the policy on safeguarding the biological diversity in Europe; Conclusion.

Reports a study which examined the effectiveness of Global Environmental Facility (GEF) as the financial mechanism to the convention on biological diversity (CBD). Issues in the CBD review and GEF replenishment; Emerging relationship between the CBD and other donors; Efforts towards a financial mechanism.