Backloading to extinction: Coping with values conflict in the administration of Australia's federal biodiversity offset policy

Australian Journal of Public Administration, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 82(2), P. 228 - 247

Published: March 28, 2023

Abstract Policy‐makers are frequently required to consider and manage conflicting public values. An example of this in the environmental domain is biodiversity offset policy, which governments worldwide have adopted as a mechanism balance protection with socio‐economic development. However, little work has examined administrative practices underpinning policy implementation, how adoption coping strategies value conflicts may influence resulting outcomes. This study fills research gap using case Australia's federal under Environment Protection Biodiversity Conservation (EPBC) Act 1999 . Using data from 13 interviews administrators, I show that introduction new 2012 enabled shift use precedent technical approach for setting requirements EPBC Act. Yet, multiple sources ambiguity remain, administrators post‐approval condition‐setting, or ‘backloading’—a form cycling, facilitated by structural separation—to defer detailed assessments until after losses approved. Backloading thus undermines effectiveness will persist strategy unless reduced via legislative amendments adequate resourcing conservation. Points practitioners requires socioeconomic Technical decision tools reduce reliance on case‐by‐case decision‐making, but ambiguities persist. (post‐approval condition‐setting) defers values conflict, reduces transparency, accountability, effectiveness. Policy must be at political level facilitate effective

Language: Английский

---

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

---

Achieving conservation outcomes in plant mitigation translocations: the need for global standards

Plant Ecology, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 224(9), P. 745 - 763

Published: May 5, 2023

Abstract Many countries have legislation intended to limit or offset the impact of anthropogenic disturbance and development on threatened plants. Translocations are often integral those mitigation policies. When translocation is used exclusively mitigate impacts, it termed a ‘mitigation translocation.’ However, both terminology processes vary regarding interpretation application, resulting in inconsistent standards, leading poorly planned implemented projects. These projects rarely achieve ‘no net loss’ protected species due issues with timelines procedures that result mortality translocated individuals. Instead, such process driven, focused meeting legislative requirements which enable proceed, rather than meaningful attempts minimise ecological developments demonstrate conservation outcomes. Here, we propose reframe translocations as ensuring best practice implementation hence, quantified no loss for impacted species. methods include redefining term objectives outlining associated worldwide. We also nominate global standards all proposals should adhere, ensure each project follows trajectory towards success, genuine mitigation. proposed focus building efficient plans improving governance facilitate transition from centred ecology-driven translocation. Employment these relevant proponents, government regulators, researchers, practitioners will increase likelihood gains within sector.

Language: Английский

---

Achieving biodiversity net gain by addressing governance gaps underpinning ecological compensation policies

Conservation Biology, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 38(2)

Published: Oct. 9, 2023

Abstract Biodiversity compensation policies have emerged around the world to address ecological harms of infrastructure expansion, but historically compliance is weak. The Westminster government introducing a requirement that new developments in England demonstrate they achieve biodiversity net gain (BNG). We sought determine magnitude effects governance gaps and regulator capacity constraints on policy's potential impacts. collated BNG information from all major across six early‐adopter councils 2020 2022. quantified proportion outcomes promised under at risk noncompliance, explored variation strategies used meet developers’ liabilities, occurrence simple errors metric calculations. For large energy infrastructure, liabilities frequently met within projects’ development footprint. small developments, purchase offsets was most common. estimated 27% units fell into exposed them high noncompliance because were associated with better‐condition habitats delivered on‐site unlikely be monitored or enforced. More robust mechanisms (e.g., practical for monitoring enforcement) would help ensure delivery this on‐site. Alternatively, more gains could through off‐site offsetting. latter case, we demand rise by factor 4; substantially increase financial contributions developers conservation activities private land. Twenty‐one percent applications contained recurring error their One‐half these approved councils, which may indicate under‐resourcing council assessments. Our findings resourcing shortfalls undermining effectiveness.

Language: Английский

---

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

---

Large-scale forest restoration generates comprehensive biodiversity gains in an Amazonian mining site

Journal of Cleaner Production, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 443, P. 140959 - 140959

Published: Feb. 1, 2024

To reconcile environmental issues with socioeconomic development, the mitigation hierarchy emerges as a pivotal strategy that sequentially addresses impacts through structured approach of avoidance, minimization, remediation, and offsetting. No net loss (NNL) is achieved when biodiversity gains from all four stages are larger than project's impacts. Here, we assessed changes linked to implementation S11D Eliezer Batista iron mining Complex in Carajás National Forest, Pará state, Brazil, expecting losses due activities forest restoration offsets. We evaluated stocks based on biotic value product habitat importance actual conditions. Habitat importance, unique for each class land cover recognized within study site, evaluation naturalness, rarity endangerment, substitutability. Actual conditions computed field-surveyed key ecological attributes vegetation structure, community composition diversity, processes, able restitute, 4–6 years only, approximately 73 % old-growth The ranges 0 mine lands 1 patchy savanna formations stocking above ironstone outcrops (locally known cangas) amounts 0.43 units/ha secondary forests. Between 2008 2021, detected comprehensive land-use area: Cangas, farmlands forests decreased, while minelands increased considerably. Despite degradation, emergence contributed positive balance areas managed by company (+379 units), dominated outside company's boundaries (−171 units). Although like-for-like compensation canga remains challenging, thus conclude efforts initiated effectively reversed trajectory degradation prevailing landscape provided considerable region.

Language: Английский

---

Enhanced but highly variable biodiversity outcomes from coastal restoration: A global synthesis

One Earth, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 7(4), P. 623 - 634

Published: April 1, 2024

Language: Английский

---

Simple analysis of biodiversity response functions and multipliers for biodiversity offsetting and other applications

Environmental Modelling & Software, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: unknown, P. 106322 - 106322

Published: Jan. 1, 2025

Language: Английский

---

The current state, opportunities and challenges for upscaling private investment in biodiversity in Europe

Nature Ecology & Evolution, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: Feb. 5, 2025

Abstract European countries have committed to ambitious upscaling of privately funded nature conservation. We review the status and drivers biodiversity finance in Europe. By implementing semistructured interviews with 25 key informants three focus groups across Europe, we explore opportunities challenges for private investment nature. Opportunities arise from macroeconomic regulatory changes, along various technological financial innovations growing professional experience. However, persistent barriers include ongoing lack highly profitable multitude risks facing investors, including political, ecological reputational influencing supply demand opportunities. Public policy plays foundational role creating hindering these mechanisms. can create markets opportunities, meanwhile agricultural subsidies poor coordination between public funding sources undermine return-seeking Investors derisking investments uncertainties; part caused by political uncertainty. These require profound state intervention enable whilst achieving positive outcomes; will probably not upscale without major change investment.

Language: Английский

---

The politics of influence in biodiversity offsetting

Nature Sustainability, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: Feb. 19, 2025

Language: Английский

---