BBOP Publications Library

Biodiversity Offset Implementation Handbook

The success of a biodiversity offset will depend on ensuring that an effective institutional and management structure is in place; that financial flows are sufficient; and that systems are in place to ensure that the offset objectives are achieved. This Handbook assumes that the nature of offsetting activities and magnitude and location of the offset […]

A review of ecological mitigation measures in UK environmental statements with respect to sustainable development

The European and UK legislation on environmental assessment (EA) J as well as requiring assessment of significant ecological effects, also requires development proponents to recommend mitigation measures for adverse impacts. Drawing on a review of proposed ecological mitigation measures in 194 environmental statements (ES) for UK development proposals, this paper highlights problems with the current […]

Rapid Review of Conservation Trust Funds

This Rapid Review of Conservation Trust Funds presents an overview of experience with the creation, operation and evaluation of conservation trust funds (CTFs) and provides a rationale for further investment in CTFs. The Review is not intended to replicate the Global Environment Facility‘s (GEF‘s) 1999 comprehensive Evaluation of Experience with Conservation Trust Funds, but rather […]

Balancing Biodiversity’: A Global Instrument for Meeting the 2010 Biodiversity Target

Radically heightened extinction rates over the past 50 years have prompted the Convention on Biological Diversity to adopt the ‘2010 biodiversity target,’ which aims to significantly reduce global biodiversity loss by 2010. Despite the establishment of this ambitious goal, few policies have proven to be able to ensure its achievement. This paper explores the potential […]

Native Vegetation Act 1991

An Act to provide incentives and assistance to landowners in relation to the preservation and enhancement of native vegetation; to control the clearance of native vegetation; and for other purposes.

Council Directive 92/43/EEC of 21 May 1992 on the Conservation of Natural Habitats of Wild Fauna and Flora: Annex I

Guidance on the interpretation of habitat types is given in the “Interpretation Manual of European Union Habitats” as approved by the committee set up under Article 20 (“Habitats Committee”) and published by the European Commission.

Physical Stream Assessment: A Review of Selected Protocols for Use in the Clean Water Act Section 404 Program

We reviewed stream assessment and mitigation protocols collected from throughout the United States in an effort to identify attributes most pertinent to the Clean Water Act (CWA) Section 404 regulatory program. We also solicited input from practitioners utilizing stream assessment protocols nationwide in an effort to identify common attributes of existing protocols and to seek […]

Market-Based Environmental Policies: What Can We Learn from U.S. Experience and Related Research?

Ever since the passage of the 1990 amendments to the US Clean Air act and the creation of a market in sulfur dioxide (SO2), it has become clear that market mechanisms can be effectively used to achieve environmental policies. But markets are neither infallible nor automatic. They have blind spots and they need to be […]

Biodiversity Offset Design Handbook Appendicies – 2009

This companion volume of Appendices to the BBOP Offset Design Handbook offers readers a summary of a sample of methodologies relevant to biodiversity offsets and some references on them for further reading. Some approaches are required or recommended by government policies; some are the subject of the lending requirements of banks; some are still under […]

Technical conditions for positive outcomes from biodiversity offsets

An input paper for the IUCN Technical Study Group on Biodiversity Offsets

We assess the conditions under which biodiversity offsets benefit biodiversity and achieve no net loss, asking two key questions: i. Under what conditions do biodiversity offset approaches provide positive outcomes for biodiversity, irrespective of the concept of no net loss? ii. Under what conditions is it possible to achieve no net loss through the implementation […]