International conventions are seldom reviewed in the literature devoted to environmental policy instruments. However, coordination is needed at a global level for global environmental problems characterised by scientific controversies, uncertainty, irreversibility, long-term impacts, economic and geopolitical dimensions. The Convention on Biological Diversity is a good illustration in this regard. The rules it promotes are clearly inspired by mainstream economics. It has therefore been celebrated as a textbook example of sound environmental policy. However, its success has been limited so far and its position within the international conservation regime is challenged. We argue that an alternative analytical approach to environmental global policies is needed and that the French theories of conventions and regulation open up promising prospects in this respect.