Title
Seeking convergence on the key concepts in ‘no net loss’ policy
Author(s)
Bull, Joseph W.;Gordon, Ascelin;Watson, James E. M.;Maron, Martine
Published
2016
Publisher
Journal of Applied Ecology
Abstract
1. Biodiversity conservation policies incorporating a no net loss (NNL) principle are being implemented in many countries. However, there are linguistic and conceptual inconsistencies in the use of terms underlying these NNL policies.
2. We identify inconsistencies that emerge in the usage of eight key terms and phrases associated with NNL policies: biodiversity; frames of reference (i.e. baselines, counterfactuals); no net loss; mitigation hierarchy; biodiversity offset; in-kind/out-of-kind; direct/indirect; and multipliers.
3. For each term, we make recommendations to support conceptual convergence, reduce ambiguity and improve clarity in communication and policy documentation. However, we also warn of the challenges in achieving convergence, especially given the linguistic inconsistencies in several of these key concepts among countries in which NNL policies are employed.
4. Policy implications. The recommendations made in this article, on improving clarity and supporting convergence on key no net loss (NNL) concepts, should help eliminate ambiguity in policy documentation. This is crucial if policymakers are to design robust policies that are: (i) transparent; (ii) translatable into practice in a consistent manner; and, (iii) sufficiently understood and supported by stakeholders to be effective in practice.
Keywords
biodiversity offset;compensation;conservation;counterfactual;frame of reference;mitigation hierarchy;multiplier;no net loss;policy terminology
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PUB18885