Disentangling the “net” from the “offset”: learning for net-zero climate policy from an analysis of “no-net-loss” in biodiversity

Frontiers in Climate, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 5

Published: July 6, 2023

Net-zero has proved a rapid and powerful convening concept for climate policy. Rather than treating it as novel development from the perspective of policy, we examine net-zero in context longer history experience “no-net-loss” framing biodiversity Drawing on material scholarly, policy activist literature cultural political economy theory, interpret turn to “net” policies practices part neoliberalism, which quantification commodification environment, particular—trading through an offset market, enable continued ideological dominance economic freedoms. This analysis highlights ways adoption reconstructs goals, processes mechanisms involved. It is neoliberal commitment markets that drives net framings very purpose validating offsetting markets. Understanding making measures this way potential disentangle “offset”, discuss various obfuscations perversities entanglement affords. We argue delivery outcomes might be separated mechanism offsetting, marketization compensation typically presumed involve, but may yet remain entangled ideology. In conclusion suggest some conditions more effective, fair sustainable “net-zero”

Language: Английский

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No net loss accounting: Aligning biodiversity offsets with ecosystem accounts

Ecological Solutions and Evidence, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 6(1)

Published: Jan. 1, 2025

Abstract Biodiversity offsetting and ecosystem accounting are two rapidly developing fields that share a common goal: quantifying changes in ecosystems. Nevertheless, the intersection of these is often overlooked, despite significant synergies they offer. This perspective paper explores this from both sides, highlighting benefits for practice steps needed to make accounts offsetting‐ready . The System Environmental‐Economic Accounting—Ecosystem Accounting (SEEA EA) most widespread sophisticated framework accounting. was designed consistently quantify biodiversity at several spatial scales, including fine scales typically relevant offsetting. Furthermore, components also tightly related key concepts To illustrate this, we provide dictionary cross‐linking terminologies fields. Despite fundamental similarities, developed today not (directly) suitable fine‐scale use. We discuss reasons practical challenges improving suitability Solution : Aligning offers huge opportunity fields, enhancing standardisation practices, making them extensible high level no net loss targets can be achieved by using offsetting‐relevant scalable metrics as condition variables, implementing indices yield meaningful currencies. argue future case studies should recognise quantification loss/gain use cases. And call dedicated pilots apply concrete contexts, transformative potential harnessing policy.

Language: Английский

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Biodiversity offsets, their effectiveness and their role in a nature positive future

Published: Feb. 28, 2025

Language: Английский

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Rewilding for biodiversity offsets: A case study of passive ecological restoration on lowland agricultural land for Biodiversity Net Gain in England

Global Ecology and Conservation, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: unknown, P. e03603 - e03603

Published: April 1, 2025

Language: Английский

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Analyzing the outcomes of China's ecological compensation scheme for development‐related biodiversity loss

Conservation Science and Practice, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 5(10)

Published: Aug. 18, 2023

Abstract Over the past three decades, China's government has implemented many projects under its ecological compensation policy, including paying fees for habitat creation to redress natural losses caused by development. However, a critical evaluation of both policy design and outcomes, not previously been carried out. We assemble diverse data sources provide first eco‐compensation practice, identifying several challenges. In pricing forest restoration is insufficient in provinces, there no requirement use biodiversity metrics or equivalence losses. only 23% sample 31 developments applied quantitative metrics, fewer than 1% local governments have disclosed information regarding implementation. Thus, improve validity practice better secure biodiversity, China may need embrace higher standards, having prevented where possible. Equally important, also governance tracking conservation effectiveness monitoring.

Language: Английский

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What is a unit of nature? Measurement challenges in the emerging biodiversity credit market

Proceedings of the Royal Society B Biological Sciences, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 291(2036)

Published: Dec. 1, 2024

Bending the curve of biodiversity loss requires business and financial sectors to disclose reduce their impacts help fund nature recovery. This has sparked interest in developing generalizable, standardized measurements biodiversity-essentially a 'unit nature'. We examine how such units are defined rapidly growing voluntary credits market present framework exploring is quantified, delivery positive outcomes detected attributed investment number issued adjusted account for uncertainties. demonstrate that there deep uncertainties throughout process question if benefits credits, other efforts abstract single unit, outweigh harms. Credits can only be they used with unprecedentedly strict regulation ensures businesses mostly avoid negative purchased quantify contributions rather than as direct offsets. While may role markets attracting conservation funding, will ever part solution, especially many aspects cannot reduced unit.

Language: Английский

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Assessing biodiversity policy designs in Australia, France and Sweden. Comparative lessons for transformative governance of biodiversity?

Journal of Environmental Policy & Planning, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 25(3), P. 287 - 300

Published: Sept. 1, 2022

Biodiversity decline undermines the conditions for life on Earth resulting in calls transformative governance of biodiversity. Under Convention Biological Diversity, national biodiversity strategies provide primary mechanism through which governments demonstrate their conservation efforts. With many countries due to develop new under Post-2020 Global Framework, it is timely assess existing ones identify policy design elements that could be ‘ratcheted up’ meet agenda. This article analyzes and compares designs Australia, France Sweden. We cover problem framing, goals, targeted groups, implementing agents, instruments, draw lessons how can designed further support transformation governance. these used inspire future ones: a negotiated framing participatory processes France, nested integrated targets measures Sweden, an engagement with indigenous knowledge Australia. However, bring about change, analysis also shows need novel fundamental re-designs successfully target indirect drivers loss, shift power relations, make priority rather than option.

Language: Английский

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Mitigating the Impacts of Development Corridors on Biodiversity: A Global Review

Frontiers in Ecology and Evolution, Journal Year: 2021, Volume and Issue: 9

Published: July 26, 2021

Development corridors are extensive, often transnational and linear, geographical areas targeted for investment to help achieve sustainable development. They comprise the creation of hard infrastructure (i.e., physical structures) soft policies, plans, programmes) involving a variety actors. globally widespread, likely be significant driver habitat loss. Here, we describe development phenomenon from biodiversity perspective identify elements best practice in impact mitigation. We use these carry out review peer reviewed literature on respond three questions: (i) how impacts ecosystem services assessed; (ii) what mitigation measures discussed manage impacts; (iii) extent do approximate practice. found that 271 publications across all continents (except Antarctica) mentioning or services, only 100 (37%) assessed 7 (3%) services. Importantly, half (52, 19% total articles) impacts. These focused avoidance minimisation there was scant mention restoration ecological compensation illustrating deficient application hierarchy. conclude academic does not give sufficient consideration comprehensive To change this, assessment research needs acknowledge complexity such multi-project multi-stakeholder initiatives, quantify losses due full suite their potential direct, indirect cumulative impacts, follow steps hierarchy framework. suggest series avenues policy recommendations improve assessments towards achieving better outcomes.

Language: Английский

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Challenges and lessons of implementing strategic environmental assessment in a critically endangered ecosystem

Journal of Environmental Planning and Management, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: unknown, P. 1 - 22

Published: Feb. 1, 2024

Strategic environmental assessment (SEA) can help to ensure that development across a landscape is planned and implemented with minimum biodiversity impacts. Despite its growing prevalence, few studies have investigated the implementation of conservation interventions associated SEA. Here, we examine an Australian SEA case study, Melbourne Assessment, which set out assess impacts Melbourne’s urban growth boundary expansion on threatened species ecosystems. Using stakeholder interviews document analysis, evaluate under We find key are yet be fully implemented, including establishing 15,000-hectare reserve offset critically endangered grasslands. identify systematic pervasive failures, questionable funding enforcement arrangements, highlight critical improvements needed. Given use worldwide, urgent action required provide confidence in ability deliver objectives.

Language: Английский

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Using butterfly survey data to model habitat associations in urban developments

Journal of Applied Ecology, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 61(4), P. 773 - 783

Published: Jan. 25, 2024

Abstract One approach for measuring the potential biodiversity in new urban construction projects is through ecological models that predict how wildlife will respond. For United Kingdom, such have only been developed birds, but to maximise extent which represent overall biodiversity, species from different indicator groups must be considered. Here, we assess this possibility butterflies by combining citizen science survey data with high‐resolution digital maps. We derive detailed characteristics of landscapes around sites using previously established methods and quantify their relationship counts adults 18 butterfly peri‐urban settings. Higher were found when traversing larger areas semi‐natural grassland, other managed greenspaces adjacent arable land. Most community negative relationships highly built‐up or fragmented landscapes. high species‐specificity details form, particularly habitat elements as gardens, vegetation railways grass verges. Policy implications . Improving now part legislation governing England Wales. However, predicting quantitative changes hypothetical land‐use modifications remains challenging. Our provide foundation abundance could integrated into an assessment tool, providing species‐ community‐level statistics non‐specialists planning design sector. This would allow them hone configurations built surfaces, private capacity residents intended access nature.

Language: Английский

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