The ecological outcomes of biodiversity offsets under “no net loss” policies: A global review

Conservation Letters, Journal Year: 2019, Volume and Issue: 12(6)

Published: July 17, 2019

Abstract No net loss (NNL) biodiversity policies mandating the application of a mitigation hierarchy (avoid, minimize, remediate, offset) to ecological impacts built infrastructure are proliferating globally. However, little is known about their effectiveness at achieving NNL outcomes. We reviewed English‐language peer‐reviewed literature (capturing 15,715 articles), and identified 32 reports that observed outcomes from policies, including >300,000 ha offsets. Approximately one‐third individual offsets reported NNL, primarily in wetlands, although most studies used widely criticized area‐based outcome measures. The commonly cited reason for success was applying high offset multipliers (large area relative impacted area). large gaps between global implementation evidence effectiveness: despite two‐thirds world's being applied forested ecosystems, we found none four demonstrated successful habitats or species. also no achievement using avoided (impacts by protecting existing habitat elsewhere). Additionally, summarized regional variability compliance rates with policies. As infrastructural expansion accelerates, must urgently improve evidence‐base around efforts mitigate development on biodiversity.

Language: Английский

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The Role of “No Net Loss” Policies in Conserving Biodiversity Threatened by the Global Infrastructure Boom

One Earth, Journal Year: 2019, Volume and Issue: 1(3), P. 305 - 315

Published: Nov. 1, 2019

Over US$60 trillion is predicted to be spent on new infrastructure globally by 2040. Is it possible meet UN Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 9 (develop networks) without sacrificing goals 14 and 15 (ending biodiversity loss)? We explore the potential role of "no net loss" (NNL) policies in reconciling these SDGs. assess country-level overlaps between planned expansion, infrastructure-threatened biodiversity, national compensation find that around half falls within countries with some form mandatory policy. However, currently have shortcomings, are unlikely achieve NNL could risk doing more harm than good. summarize policy transformations required for mitigate all impacts biodiversity. To SDGs alongside 15, capitalizing global coverage rapidly transforming them into robust (emphasizing impact avoidance) should an urgent priority. The Goals (SDGs) lay out society's ambition deliver social economic prosperity while conserving nature land sea (SDGs respectively). "business-as-usual" approaches solving development challenges may compromise our ability focused eliminating species ecosystems.1Spaiser V. Ranganathan S. Swain R.B. Sumpter D.J. sustainable oxymoron: quantifying modelling incompatibility goals.Int. J. Sustain. Dev. World Ecol. 2017; 24: 457-470Crossref Scopus (154) Google Scholar,2Hickel contradiction goals: growth versus ecology a finite planet.Sustain. 2019; 27: 873-884Crossref (152) Scholar One contradictions relates infrastructure: expand world's built infrastructural networks (SDG 9) harming non-human life Earth 15)? At this key juncture future post-2020 framework Convention Biological Diversity (CBD), crucial question consider. experiencing most rapid expansion history ("the basic physical organizational structures facilities [e.g., buildings, roads, power supplies] needed operation society or enterprise"; Lexico Dictionaries) over spending 2019 2040 (estimated 56 countries, totaling 88% gross domestic product [GDP]).3Global Infrastructure HubGlobal outlook: investment needs 50 7 sectors 2040.https://outlook.gihub.org/methodologyDate: 2017Google Scholar,4Global need compact Africa countries.https://cdn.gihub.org/outlook/live/methodology/Global+Infrastructure+Outlook+CWA+update+-+June+2018.pdfDate: 2018Google It projected additional 1.2 million km2 will urbanized 2000 2030 (185% increase),5Seto K.C. Güneralp B. Hutyra L.R. Global forecasts urban direct carbon pools.Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA. 2012; 109: 16083-16088Crossref PubMed (2325) 3–4.7 km roads added network 2050 (22%–34% increase).6Meijer Huijbregts M.A. Schotten K. Schipper A. patterns current road infrastructure.Environ. Res. Lett. 2018; 13https://doi.org/10.1088/1748-9326/aabd42Crossref (213) In high-profile example, ongoing Chinese "Belt Road Initiative" might ambitious drive history.7Ascensão F. Fahrig L. Clevenger A.P. Corlett R.T. Jaeger J.A. Laurance W.F. Pereira H.M. Environmental belt initiative.Nat. 1: 206-209Crossref (229) program aims link 65 representing two-thirds population, transport energy infrastructure, spatially overlapping 1,700 sites conservation designations.7Ascensão Infrastructural can important mechanism alleviating poverty delivering growth,8Agénor P.-R. Moreno-Dodson Public Growth: New Channels Policy Implications. Bank, 2006Crossref Scholar,9Donaldson D. Railroads Raj: estimating transportation infrastructure.Am. Econ. Rev. 108: 899-934Crossref (410) but when unaccompanied strong environmental safeguards also driver ecosystem service loss.10Laurance Peletier-Jellema Geenen Koster H. Verweij P. Van Dijck Lovejoy T.E. Schleicher Kuijk M. Reducing expansion.Curr. Biol. 2015; 25: R259-R262Abstract Full Text PDF (136) Scholar,11Maxwell S.L. Fuller R.A. Brooks T.M. Watson J.E. Biodiversity: ravages guns, nets bulldozers.Nature. 2016; 536: 143-145Crossref (892) Major extractive, transport, energy-production projects biodiverse carbon-rich regions, including Congo Basin, Amazon, Borneo.10Laurance Scholar,12Latrubesse E.M. Arima E.Y. Dunne T. Park E. Baker V.R. d'Horta F.M. Wight C. Wittmann Zuanon P.A. Damming rivers Amazon basin.Nature. 546: 363Crossref (392) Scholar,13Alamgir Campbell M.J. Sloan Suhardiman Supriatna High-risk pose imminent threats forests Indonesian Borneo.Sci. Rep. 9: 140Crossref (53) affect multiple ways, habitat loss footprint, alteration properties fragmentation,14Torres Alonso J.C. Assessing large-scale wildlife responses human development.Proc. 113: 8472-8477Crossref (111) Scholar,15Tulloch A.I. Gordon Runge C.A. Rhodes J.R. Integrating realistic planning inform strategic assessment.Conserv. 12: e12648Crossref (10) exacerbation biological resource consumption,10Laurance facilitating further activity (through, e.g., improving access). scales, one-third (9,053 27,159) assessed threatened (categorized as critically endangered, vulnerable; June 14, 2019) Red List amphibians birds (55% 46%, respectively).16International Union Conservation Nature Natural ResourcesThe IUCN species. Version 2019-1.http://www.iucnredlist.orgDate: 2019Google Transport, energy, residential contributors climate breakdown,17Laurance Clements G.R. O'connell C.S. Mueller N.D. Goosem Venter O. Edwards D.P. Phalan Balmford A strategy building.Nature. 2014; 513: 229Crossref (498) Scholar,18Tong Zhang Q. Zheng Y. Caldeira Shearer Hong Qin Davis S.J. Committed emissions from existing jeopardize 1.5°C target.Nature. 572: 373-377Crossref (301) another loss. addition considerable implications, much mining, heavily areas importance,5Seto Scholar,17Laurance Scholar,19Harfoot M.B. Tittensor Knight Arnell Blyth Butchart S.H. Hutton Jones M.I. Kapos Present risks fossil fuel exploitation.Conserv. 11: e12448Crossref (59) exacerbating major breakdown. committing international community committed "sustainably manage protect marine coastal ecosystems avoid significant adverse impacts" "protect prevent extinction 2020." Given infrastructure's driving loss, worth asking: how close we achieving aspiration what else done? This perspective extends conceptual "global mitigation hierarchy" outlined Arlidge et al.,20Arlidge W.N. Bull J.W. Addison P.F. Burgass Gianuca Gorham Jacob Shumway N. Sinclair S.P. hierarchy conservation.Bioscience. 68: 336-347Crossref (97) focusing specifically mitigating expansion. "No increasingly influential set emerged at their core, fully and, cases, land-use change. First rising prominence response widespread wetland losses US natural landscape aesthetic Germany,21Hough Robertson Mitigation under section 404 Clean Water Act: where comes from, means.Wetl. Manag. 2009; 17: 15-33Crossref (124) Scholar,22Wende W. Tucker G.-M. Quétier Rayment Darbi Biodiversity Offsets: European Perspectives No Net Loss Ecosystem Services. Springer, 2018Crossref (14) idealized based principle minimum left no worse off after before (Box 1). commonly operationalized through application (e.g., avoid, minimize, restore, offset23Bennett G. Gallant ten Kate State 2017: Markets Compensation Development. Forest Trends Marketplace, Scholar) predicated strict preference first stage (to wherever possible). Most implemented assessment (EIA) frameworks, considerably strengthen treatment traditional EIA. Traditional EIAs aim assist decision making developments providing information potentially exploring options "acceptable" levels, uncommon address per se quantitative terms.24Bigard Pioch Thompson J.D. inclusion assessment: policy-related progress limited gaps semantic confusion.J. Environ. Manage. 200: 35-45Crossref (54) contrast, clear overall goal following hierarchy, terms actions taken order expected residual least matched compensatory offsetting. They explicitly define which aspects considered priorities they measured; targets then whether not been achieved.25Bull Suttle K.B. Singh N.J. Milner-Gulland offsets theory practice.Oryx. 2013; 47: 369-380Crossref (293) Additionally, if ecological determines cannot achieved given context, give concrete rationale permitted go ahead.26Pilgrim Brownlie Ekstrom J.M. Gardner T.A. von Hase Savy C.E. Stephens Temple H.J. Treweek process assessing offsetability impacts.Conserv. 6: 376-384Google Scholar,27Phalan Hayes Marsh Howard Costelloe Vira Kowalska Whitaker Avoiding strengthening hierarchy.Oryx. 52: 316-324Crossref (56) explored later, core principles often fail respected practice, does free influence uneven dynamics vested interests.28Carver Sullivan How contexts shape calculations yield offsetting.Conserv. 31: 1053-1065Crossref (26) one main ways applied world creation policies, fall far short above because lack adherence hierarchy29Global Inventory Offset PoliciesAll reviews.https://portals.iucn.org/offsetpolicy/policy-reviewsDate: (especially avoidance27Phalan Scholar).Box 1Key Terms•Biodiversity compensation: Actions compensate negative caused developments, include financial affected stakeholders. Compensatory generate gains necessarily quantified, equivalent type magnitude losses, such general "biodiversity offsetting."•Biodiversity offsetting: losses; must greater value losses. Offsetting "specific rigorously quantified measure."30Bull Maron Seeking convergence concepts 'no loss' policy.J. Appl. 53: 1686-1693Crossref (62) Scholar•"No policy: various spatial scales aiming across development. practice "mitigation hierarchy."•Mitigation hierarchy: Framework sequentially avoiding possible, minimizing unavoidable, restoring time bound, finally offsetting any biodiversity.31Gardner Pilgrim Ussher G.T. Ward challenge loss.Conserv. 1254-1264Crossref (188) •Biodiversity extent policies. While past research has outcomes local scales,32Lindenmayer D.B. Crane Evans M.C. Gibbons Bekessy Blanchard anatomy failed offset.Biol. Conserv. 210: 286-292Crossref (69) Scholar, 33Thorn Hobbs R.J. Valentine L.E. Effectiveness offsets: controversial offset Perth.West. Aust. 228: 291-300Crossref (11) 34zu Ermgassen S.O. Griffiths Strange Struebig policies: review.Conserv. : e12664https://doi.org/10.1111/conl.12664Crossref (74) implications only just beginning emerge. For taking subset represented offsets, estimated 153,679−64,223+25,013 were (as 2018) being change globally, summed make area approximately size country large Bangladesh.35Bull implementation policies.Nat. 790Crossref (79) Recently, International (IUCN) collaborators assembled database documents level (covering 197 accounting 98% GDP) degree (including restricted offsets) referenced embedded overarching EIA legislation 2). details significantly previously reported:36Madsen markets report: programs worldwide.http://www.ecosystemmarketplace.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/sbdmr.pdfDate: 2011Google Thirty-seven 72% GDP certain types (Figure 1A), 64 provide guidance measures enable voluntary ("precursor policies"). Despite criticism policies,37Moreno-Mateos Maris Bechet Curran true offsets.Biol. 192: 552-559Crossref (89) Scholar,38Maron many meanings policy.Nat. 19Crossref (105) adoption indicates play boom.39Quintero Mathur infrastructure.Conserv. 2011; 1121-1123Crossref (29) ScholarBox 2The PoliciesThe Policies (GIBOP) open-access summarizing policies) frameworks. was analysis countries' legislation, allocating each score "strength" legislation. allocated using standardized country, there remains unavoidable interpretive element. Scores defined follows:0:no mention compensation1:countries early (minimal regulatory provisions compensation)2:countries enabling use (scheme acknowledged framework)3:countries requiring circumstancesMore about methods limitations found https://portals.iucn.org/offsetpolicy/. circumstances More Worldwide, dominant commercial development, followed mining extraction other (linear production; Figure 1B). According Hub, US$46 (74% database) occur classes 1C).3Global Scholar,29Global These associated 568,000 (2000–2030; 47% total5Seto 1.5 (by 2050; 42% total6Meijer Scholar). Consequently, up policy, likely increase continues spread globally. If (but requiring) forms part strategies (n + 64) moved would 35% countries). Beyond applicable constructed, cover sizable proportion features infrastructure. Using minimize biases species, overlap bird extant ranges = 593, accessed regions different strengths 2).40BirdLife BirdLife handbook world: distribution maps world. 2018.1.http://datazone.birdlife.org/species/requestdisDate: mean percentage species' range falling 47%, 25% "precursor" 1D). note here simply describing broad speculating causal relationships adoption. scale particular threatening jurisdiction generated industry regulated). Nevertheless, high-level demonstrates integration requirements frameworks recognition carefully designed stand chance consistent aspirations SDGs,38Maron

Language: Английский

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What are we measuring? A review of metrics used to describe biodiversity in offsets exchanges

Biological Conservation, Journal Year: 2019, Volume and Issue: 241, P. 108250 - 108250

Published: Nov. 20, 2019

Language: Английский

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Ecological compensation: How much and where?

Ecological Economics, Journal Year: 2021, Volume and Issue: 190, P. 107191 - 107191

Published: Aug. 28, 2021

Language: Английский

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Toward solving the global green–green dilemma between wind energy production and bat conservation

BioScience, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 74(4), P. 240 - 252

Published: Feb. 21, 2024

Wind energy production is growing rapidly worldwide in an effort to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. However, wind not environmentally neutral. Negative impacts on volant animals, such as bats, include fatalities at turbines and habitat loss due land-use change displacement. Siting away from ecologically sensitive areas implementing measures are critical protecting bat populations. Restricting turbine operations during periods of high activity the most effective form mitigation currently available fatalities. Compensating for offsetting mortality often practiced, because meaningful offsets lacking. Legal frameworks prevent or mitigate negative bats absent countries, especially emerging markets. Therefore, governments lending institutions key reconciling with biodiversity goals by requiring sufficient environmental standards projects.

Language: Английский

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Biodiversity offsetting: Certainty of the net loss but uncertainty of the net gain

Biological Conservation, Journal Year: 2019, Volume and Issue: 237, P. 200 - 208

Published: July 11, 2019

Language: Английский

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Exploring the ecological outcomes of mandatory biodiversity net gain using evidence from early‐adopter jurisdictions in England

Conservation Letters, Journal Year: 2021, Volume and Issue: 14(6)

Published: June 9, 2021

Abstract Net outcome‐type biodiversity policies are proliferating globally as perceived mechanisms to reconcile economic development and conservation objectives. The UK government's Environment Bill will mandate that most new developments in England demonstrate they deliver a net gain (BNG) receive planning permission, representing the wide‐ranging outcome type policy globally. However, with many nascent net‐outcome policies, likely outcomes of mandatory BNG have not been explored empirically. We assemble all assessments (accounting for ∼6% England's annual housebuilding other infrastructure) submitted from January 2020 February 2021 six early‐adopter councils who implementing no loss or requirements advance national adoption BNG, analyze aggregate habitat changes proposed. Our sample is associated 34% reduction area nonurban habitats, generally compensated by commitments smaller areas higher quality years later project cycle. Ninety‐five percent units delivered our come habitats within directly‐adjacent footprint managed developers. we find these gains fall governance gap whereby risk being unenforceable, challenge shared implemented internationally.

Language: Английский

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A global overview of biodiversity offsetting governance

Journal of Environmental Management, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 316, P. 115231 - 115231

Published: May 9, 2022

We analyze the development of biodiversity offsetting governance through a research-weaving approach. Here, we combine information from systematized review literature and qualitative analysis institutional developments in different world regions. Through this triangulation, synthesize map developmental streams around globe over last four decades. find that there is global mainstreaming core principles such as avoidance, no-net-loss, mitigation hierarchy, well pooling trading offsets for unavoidable residual damages. Furthermore, can observe an ongoing diversification designs actors involved. Together constitutes emerging regime complex comes with both set shared norms growing complexity. While may imply innovation policy experimentation, it also raises questions regarding effectiveness practices.

Language: Английский

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Pooling biodiversity offsets to improve habitat connectivity and species conservation

Journal of Environmental Management, Journal Year: 2020, Volume and Issue: 277, P. 111425 - 111425

Published: Oct. 1, 2020

Language: Английский

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Evaluating the impact of biodiversity offsetting on native vegetation

Global Change Biology, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 29(15), P. 4397 - 4411

Published: June 10, 2023

Abstract Biodiversity offsetting is a globally influential policy mechanism for reconciling trade‐offs between development and biodiversity loss. However, there little robust evidence of its effectiveness. We evaluated the outcomes jurisdictional (Victoria, Australia). Offsets under Victoria's Native Vegetation Framework (2002–2013) aimed to prevent loss degradation remnant vegetation, generate gains in vegetation extent quality. categorised offsets into those with near‐complete baseline woody cover (“avoided loss”, 2702 ha) incomplete (“regeneration”, 501 ha), impacts on from 2008 2018. used two approaches estimate counterfactual. First, we statistical matching biophysical covariates: common approach conservation impact evaluation, but which risks ignoring potentially important psychosocial confounders. Second, compared changes sites that were not study duration later enrolled as offsets, partially account self‐selection bias (where landholders enrolling land may have shared characteristics affecting how they manage land). Matching covariates, estimated regeneration increased by 1.9%–3.6%/year more than non‐offset (138–180 ha 2018) this effect weakened second (0.3%–1.9%/year sites; 19–97 disappeared when single outlier parcel was removed. Neither detected any avoided offsets. cannot conclusively demonstrate whether goal ‘net gain’ (NG) achieved because data limitations. given our majority increases additional (would happened without scheme), NG outcome seems unlikely. The results highlight importance considering design evaluation regulatory policy, challenges conducting evaluations policies.

Language: Английский

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