Marine no net loss: the challenges of policy development and implementation

Biodiversity offsetting seeks to improve the ecological link between impact and compensation, commonly under an aim of no net loss (NNL). Little is known about how this approach, which has been developed for terrestrial... [ view full abstract ]

Biodiversity offsetting seeks to improve the ecological link between impact and compensation, commonly under an aim of no net loss (NNL). Little is known about how this approach, which has been developed for terrestrial application, is being used in marine contexts. Australia has offsetting policies at a federal and state level and is an ideal case study to explore the complexities and practicalities of applying the mitigation hierarchy and biodiversity offsetting in marine environments. Using a mixed method approach I have explored how offsets have been used in marine development consenting processes. This analysis presents a range of views and experiences across jurisdictions and sectors, and suggests that current practice in Australia is unlikely to realise an aim of NNL. Factors influencing this outcome relate to issues common to terrestrial offsets but also those specific to marine environments. These include the challenges posed by: (1) quantifying impact pathways to manageable levels of certainty in highly variable and dynamic marine environments; (2) the lack of proven and cost effective marine restoration strategies; and, (3) the frequently complex governance systems in place to support the implementation of offset activity. I discuss how compensation strategies in marine environments require special consideration and explore what is required to ensure that the rigour of impact assessment is not reduced by the use of offsets. I conclude with an assessment of how the mitigation hierarchy and requirements for compensation arising through EIA and other frameworks can be applied to leverage improved outcomes for marine biodiversity.