A new approach to compensate for the impact of development may be an effective alternative to biodiversity offsetting – and help nations achieve international biodiversity targets.
University of Queensland scientists say target-based ecological compensation provides greater certainty and clarity, while ensuring the management of impacts from projects like new mines, roads or housing estates directly contributes to broader conservation goals.
UQ’s Dr Jeremy Simmonds said most countries in the world have or are developing policies on biodiversity offsetting.
“Biodiversity offsetting is a form of compensation that typically aims to achieve an outcome in which there is ‘no net loss’ of biodiversity as a result of a particular development,” he said.
Read more at University of Queensland
Image: The spotted-tailed quoll still treads an ecological tightrope. (Credit: Gerhard Körtner)