National regulations and policies

Policy on Integrated Management of Biodiversity and its Ecosystem Services (PNGIBSE) 2012.

Formulated in 2012, it proposes a substantial change in the approach to biodiversity management, which is reflected in its conceptual development and technical proposal.

• It conceives biodiversity not only as natural attributes (genes, species and ecosystems) but in a broad sense where biodiversity is the source, basis and guarantee of the provision of support services, regulation, provision and cultural values.
• Adopts the socio-ecological approach and recognizes the interdependence between social and ecological systems. 
• It proposes to understand biodiversity conservation in a broad sense as a result of the interaction between the processes of preservation, restoration, sustainable use and generation of knowledge and information.
• It considers that continental and marine biodiversity management should be concretely manifested in land-use planning processes and become a structuring element that guides political-administrative and land-use planning actions at various scales.
• It identifies the need to strengthen participation and governance processes, which implies recognizing and incorporating production and knowledge systems and recognizing all stakeholders with an interest in the territory as valid and legitimate interlocutors.
• Emphasizes the need to build national awareness and consensus on the importance of biodiversity and ecosystem services as assets of high public value. 
• Insists on the public and collective nature of biodiversity decisions for today's Colombian society.

The PNGIBSE identifies five main direct drivers of biodiversity transformation and loss that are typified at the global level:

DRIVE 1. Changes in land use (continental or aquatic), its occupation and the fragmentation of its ecosystems. DRIVE 2. Decrease, loss or degradation of elements of native ecosystems and agro-ecosystems. DRIVE 3. Biological invasion. DRIVE 4. Contamination and toxification. DRIVE 5 Climate change. 

To address these drivers of loss and the underlying causes of biodiversity loss and transformation, it proposes 6 thematic axes and 36 strategic lines:

1. Biodiversity, conservation and care of nature.
2. Biodiversity, governance and public value creation.
3. Biodiversity, economic development and quality of life.
4. Biodiversity, knowledge management, technology and information.
5. Biodiversity, risk management and provision of ecosystem services.
6. Biodiversity, co-responsibility and global commitments.

Other policies and/or regulations related to biodiversity management

DECREE 2811 of 1973

A visionary instrument that highlights the interest in the environment and the importance of its relationship with life, seeking the conservation, preservation and restoration of the environment, through the rational use of renewable natural resources, according to criteria of equity that ensure the harmonious development of man and those resources.

Political Constitution of 1991

The environment is recognized as an essential element for human development, as well as the establishment of its defense as an objective of principle within the organizational form of the Social State of Law. This has led to the current Magna Carta being recognized as an ecological constitution.

LAW 99 of 1993

Instrument through which natural resources are given a higher level in the hierarchy of public administration, creating the Ministry of the Environment and organizing the National Environmental System (SINA).

LAW 164 of 1994

Instrument through which the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change is approved, with the purpose of addressing the challenges of preventing dangerous anthropogenic interference in the climate system and allowing ecosystems to adapt naturally to climate change, seeking to ensure food production and sustainable economic development.

LAW 165 of 1994

Instrument ratifying the Convention on Biological Diversity, a legally binding international treaty that seeks the conservation of biological diversity, the sustainable use of its components, and the fair and equitable sharing of the benefits arising from the utilization of genetic resources.

Andean Decision 391 of 1996

Instrument through which a Common Regime on Access to Genetic Resources and their derived products of the Member Countries of the Andean Community (CAN) is determined.

LAW 461 of 1998

Through this instrument, Colombia ratifies the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification and Drought (UNCCD), in order to address the continuous and deep processes of land degradation and its negative impact on environmental, economic and social conditions.

LAW 629 of 2000

Approving the "Kyoto Protocol to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change" to address greenhouse gas emissions.

LAW 740 of 2002

Approving the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety to the Convention on Biological Diversity, in order to establish and manage safe forms of development, adoption and commercialization of the products of modern biotechnology.

LAW 1844 of 2017

Instrument through which Colombia approves the Paris Agreement, which is based on the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, in order to make ambitious efforts to combat climate change and adapt to its effects.