Appendix 3: Candidate Ecological Benchmark

Source Type: Laws or Policies (and related guidelines)

Source Name: United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity

Number: 42/44

Benchmark:
1) Wetland conservation is integral to maintaining biodiversity

2) Introduce appropriate procedures requiring EA of its proposed projects that are likely to have significant adverse effects on biological diversity with a view to avoiding or minimizing such effects.

Applies to whom: Signatories to the Convention

Applies to what: Biological diversity

Applies where: Member States, including Canada

Reference:
United Nations Environment Programme. 1992. United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity. 5 June 1992. In force December 29, 1993. Nairobi, Kenya.

Evaluation:

Effective: 2

Effective Comments:
General statement that relates wetlands to factors in determining adverse environmental effects, but would not help in individual determinations of significance; may be useful in conjunction with more practical guidelines.

Authoritative: 5

Authoritative Comments: International agreement

Relevant: 6

Relevant Comments: Species diversity, geographic extent (migratory birds)

Sound: 5

Sound Comments: Statements based on scientific knowledge, although not explicit

Straightforward: 2

Straightforward Comments:

Practical: 3

Practical Comments:

Total Effective + Authority Score: 5

Total Overall Score: 20

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