Climate & Environment
Sustainable Use
Definition
Sustainable use is the use of components of biological diversity in a way and at a rate that does not lead to the long-term decline of biological diversity, thereby maintaining its potential to meet the needs and aspirations of present and future generations — the Convention on Biological Diversity's definition (Articles 2 and 10), and one of the Convention's three objectives alongside conservation and benefit-sharing. It underpins frameworks from the Addis Ababa Principles to the Kunming-Montreal Framework's targets on sustainable harvesting.
References
This reference provides supporting context for how “Sustainable Use” is defined and used.
Source imported for editorial provenance.
Overview
How it is used
The concept structures CITES non-detriment findings, community-based natural resource management, trophy hunting debates and biotrade regulation.
Why it matters
Most biodiversity will be conserved through use or not at all; sustainable use is the principle that makes conservation compatible with livelihoods.