Recent developments: legislation & policy

The current developments in biodiversity legislation stem from the strategic plans of the Convention on Biological Diversity, which states: "Biological diversity underpins ecosystem functioning and the provision of ecosystem services essential for human well-being. It provides for food security, human health, the provision of clean air and water; it contributes to local livelihoods, and economic development, and is essential for the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals, including poverty reduction"