Policy in practice: How to “do” the Nagoya Protocol: common misconceptions, challenges and best practices for access and benefit-sharing compliance
Abstract The Nagoya Protocol establishes an international framework for access-and-benefit-sharing (ABS) including for microbial research. Yet many microbiologists have only a vague understanding of what the NP requires and are unsure how to navigate its complexities, despite the fact that non-compliance can have significant legal consequences and far-reaching reputational and legal impacts. This paper discusses common misconceptions and practical challenges that microbiologists may encounter when complying with the Nagoya Protocol and a step-by-step guide on how to “do” the Nagoya Protocol. We present three case studies to showcase real-life experiences and provide best practice principles for access-and-benefit-sharing while fostering biodiversity conservation, equitable collaboration, and sustainable innovation.
Authors
- Davide Faggionato (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0877-5479)
- Mariana L. Ferrari (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0441-9242)
- G.J.M. Verkley (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6575-2439)
- Cornelia Stumptner (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4364-9710)
- Giovanna Cristina Varese (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1455-6208)
- Djamila Djeddour
- Tatjana Kostić
- Aurora Zuzuarregui (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2980-8321)
- Matthew J. Ryan (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3689-6609)
- A Haas (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3067-827X)
- Ian Probert
- Jörg Overmann
- Pascale Vonaesch
- Mathieu Groussin
- Amber H Scholz
- Michael Schloter
- Mathilde Poyet
- Robert D Finn
- Melania Muñoz-García
Institutions
- The Nature Conservancy (US)
- Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (FR)
- CAB International (GB)
- European Bioinformatics Institute (GB)
- AIT Austrian Institute of Technology GmbH (AT)
- Institut Pasteur (FR)
- Medical University of Graz (AT)
- Université Paris Cité (FR)
- Parc Científic de la Universitat de València (ES)
- Ocean Conservancy (US)
- Station Biologique de Roscoff (FR)
- Helmholtz Zentrum München (DE)
- Hochschule für Angewandte Wissenschaften Kiel (DE)
- Christian-Albrechts-Universität zu Kiel (DE)
- Sorbonne Université (FR)
- Biobanking and Biomolecular Resources Research Infrastructure Consortium (AT)
- Westerdijk Fungal Biodiversity Institute (NL)
- Torino e-district (IT)
- Bioinformatics Institute (RU)
- Clinical Research Center Kiel (DE)
- Université d'Angers (FR)
- Leibniz Institute DSMZ – German Collection of Microorganisms and Cell Cultures (DE)
- University of Lausanne (CH)
Publication Details
- Journal
- Sustainable Microbiology
- Published
- 2026-02-18
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.1093/sumbio/qvag007
- Primary Topic
- International Maritime Law Issues
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 0.00