Corporate Social Responsibility (IVOR nr. 77) 2010/13.6.3:13.6.3 Principles of Biodiversity Offsets (BBOP Advisory Committee)

Corporate Social Responsibility (IVOR nr. 77) 2010/13.6.3

13.6.3 Principles of Biodiversity Offsets (BBOP Advisory Committee)

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Biodiversity offsets are measurable conservation outcomes resulting from actions designed to compensate for significant residual adverse biodiversity impacts arising from project development after appropriate prevention and mitigation measures have been taken. The goal of biodiversity offsets is to achieve no net loss of and preferably a net gain in biodiversity on the ground with respect to species' composition, habitat structure, ecosystem function and people's use and cultural values associated with biodiversity. Biodiversity offsets should be designed to comply with all relevant national and international law, and planned and implemented in accordance with the Convention on Biological Diversity and its ecosystem approach, as articulated in National Biodiversity Strategies and Action Plans. The BBOP Principles establish a framework for designing and implementing biodiversity offsets and verifying their success.1

1. No net loss: A biodiversity offset should be designed and implemented to achieve, in situ, measurable conservation outcomes that can reasonably be expected to result in no net loss and preferably a net gain in biodiversity.

2. Additional conservation outcomes: A biodiversity offset should achieve conservation outcomes above and beyond the results that would have occurred if the offset had not taken place. Offset design andimplementationshouldavoiddisplacing activities harmful to biodiversity in other locations.

3. Adherence to the mitigation hierarchy: A biodiversity offset is a commitment to compensate for significant residual adverse impacts on biodiversity identified after appropriate avoidance, minimisation and on-site rehabilitation measures have been taken according to the mitigation hierarchy.

4. Limits to what can be offset: There are situations where residual impacts cannot be fully compensated by a biodiversity offset because of the irreplaceable nature or vulnerability of the biodiversity affected.

5. Landscape context: A biodiversity offset should be designed and implemented in a landscape context to achieve the expected measurable conservation outcomes taking into account available information on the full range of biological, social and cultural values of biodiversity and supporting an ecosystem approach.

6. Stakeholder participation: In areas affected by the project and by the biodiversity offset, the effective participation of stakeholders should be ensured in decision-making about biodiversity offsets, including their evaluation, selection, design, implementation and monitoring.

7. Equity: A biodiversity offset should be designed and implemented in an equitable manner, which means the sharing among stakeholders of the rights and responsibilities, risks and rewards associated with a project and offset in a fair and balanced way, respecting legal and customary arrangements. Special consideration should be given to respecting both internationally and nationally recognised rights of indigenous peoples and local communities.

8. Long-term outcomes: The design and implementation of a biodiversity offset should be based on an adaptive management approach, incorporating monitoring and evaluation, with the objective of securing outcomes that last at least as long as the project'simpactsand preferably in perpetuity.

9. Transparency: The design and implementation of a biodiversity offset, and the communication of its results to the public, should be undertaken in a transparent and timely manner.

10. Science and traditional knowledge: The design and implementation of a biodiversity offset should be a documented process informed by sound science, including an appropriate consideration of traditional knowledge.

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