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The many meanings of no net loss in environmental policy

Author

Listed:
  • Martine Maron

    (The University of Queensland)

  • Susie Brownlie

    (deVilliers Brownlie Associates)

  • Joseph W. Bull

    (University of Kent
    University of Copenhagen)

  • Megan C. Evans

    (The University of Queensland)

  • Amrei von Hase

    (Forest Trends Association)

  • Fabien Quétier

    (Biotope)

  • James E. M. Watson

    (The University of Queensland
    Global Conservation Program)

  • Ascelin Gordon

    (RMIT University)

Abstract

‘No net loss’ is a buzz phrase in environmental policy. Applied to a multitude of environmental targets such as biodiversity, wetlands and land productive capacity, no net loss (NNL) and related goals have been adopted by multiple countries and organizations, but these goals often lack clear reference scenarios: no net loss compared to what? Here, we examine policies with NNL and related goals, and identify three main forms of reference scenario. We categorize NNL policies as relating either to overarching policy goals, or to responses to specific impacts. We explore how to resolve conflicts between overarching and impact-specific NNL policies, and improve transparency about what NNL-type policies are actually designed to achieve.

Suggested Citation

  • Martine Maron & Susie Brownlie & Joseph W. Bull & Megan C. Evans & Amrei von Hase & Fabien Quétier & James E. M. Watson & Ascelin Gordon, 2018. "The many meanings of no net loss in environmental policy," Nature Sustainability, Nature, vol. 1(1), pages 19-27, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natsus:v:1:y:2018:i:1:d:10.1038_s41893-017-0007-7
    DOI: 10.1038/s41893-017-0007-7
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    Cited by:

    1. Yu, Shuling & Cui, Baoshan & Xie, Chengjie & Ma, Xu & Man, Ying & Yan, Jiaguo & Fu, Jing, 2021. "A quantitative approach for offsetting the coastal reclamation impacts on multiple ecosystem services in the Yellow River Delta," Ecosystem Services, Elsevier, vol. 52(C).
    2. Philippe Le Coent & Coralie Calvet, 2016. "Challenges of achieving biodiversity offsetting through agri-environmental schemes: evidence from an empirical study," Working Papers 16-10, LAMETA, Universtiy of Montpellier.
    3. Souza, Barbara A. & Rosa, Josianne C.S. & Siqueira-Gay, Juliana & Sánchez, Luis E., 2021. "Mitigating impacts on ecosystem services requires more than biodiversity offsets," Land Use Policy, Elsevier, vol. 105(C).
    4. Cole, Scott & Moksnes, Per-Olav & Söderqvist, Tore & Wikström, Sofia A. & Sundblad, Göran & Hasselström, Linus & Bergström, Ulf & Kraufvelin, Patrik & Bergström, Lena, 2021. "Environmental compensation for biodiversity and ecosystem services: A flexible framework that addresses human wellbeing," Ecosystem Services, Elsevier, vol. 50(C).
    5. Milner-Gulland, E.J. & Addison, Prue & Arlidge, William & Baker, Julia & Booth, Hollie & Brooks, Thomas & Bull, Joseph & Burgass, Michael & Ekstrom, Jonathan & Ermgassen, Sophus zu, 2020. "Four Steps for the Earth: mainstreaming the post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework," SocArXiv gjps6, Center for Open Science.
    6. Katie Devenish & Sébastien Desbureaux & Simon Willcock & Julia P. G. Jones, 2022. "On track to achieve no net loss of forest at Madagascar’s biggest mine," Nature Sustainability, Nature, vol. 5(6), pages 498-508, June.
    7. T. B. White & S. O. Petrovan & L. A. Bennun & T. Butterworth & A. P. Christie & H. Downey & S. B. Hunter & B. R. Jobson & S. O. S. E. zu Ermgassen & W. J. Sutherland, 2023. "Principles for using evidence to improve biodiversity impact mitigation by business," Business Strategy and the Environment, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 32(7), pages 4719-4733, November.
    8. Calvet, Coralie & Le Coent, Philippe & Napoleone, Claude & Quétier, Fabien, 2019. "Challenges of achieving biodiversity offset outcomes through agri-environmental schemes: Evidence from an empirical study in Southern France," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 163(C), pages 113-125.
    9. Hernandez, Stephanie & Adams, Vanessa M. & Duce, Stephanie, 2024. "The hidden impact of policy changes on remnant vegetation in Queensland, Australia," Land Use Policy, Elsevier, vol. 139(C).
    10. Vaissière, Anne-Charlotte & Quétier, Fabien & Calvet, Coralie & Levrel, Harold & Wunder, Sven, 2020. "Biodiversity offsets and payments for environmental services: Clarifying the family ties," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 169(C).
    11. Marie Grimm & Johann Köppel, 2019. "Biodiversity Offset Program Design and Implementation," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(24), pages 1-15, December.
    12. Luxton, Sarah & Smith, Greg & Williams, Kristen & Ferrier, Simon & Bond, Anthelia & Prober, Suzanne, 2023. "An introduction to financial opportunities, ecological concepts, and risks underpinning aspirations for a nature-positive economy," OSF Preprints cu8rj, Center for Open Science.
    13. Gyan Charitha de Silva & Eugenie Christine Regan & Edward Henry Beattie Pollard & Prue Frances Elizabeth Addison, 2019. "The evolution of corporate no net loss and net positive impact biodiversity commitments: Understanding appetite and addressing challenges," Business Strategy and the Environment, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 28(7), pages 1481-1495, November.
    14. Marie Grimm, 2021. "Metrics and Equivalence in Conservation Banking," Land, MDPI, vol. 10(6), pages 1-14, May.
    15. Houdet, Joël & Ding, Helen & Quétier, Fabien & Addison, Prue & Deshmukh, Pravir, 2020. "Adapting double-entry bookkeeping to renewable natural capital: An application to corporate net biodiversity impact accounting and disclosure," Ecosystem Services, Elsevier, vol. 45(C).
    16. Isabel L. Jones & Joseph W. Bull, 2020. "Major dams and the challenge of achieving “No Net Loss” of biodiversity in the tropics," Sustainable Development, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 28(2), pages 435-443, March.
    17. Galina Viktorovna Morozova & Irina Dmitrievna Porfireva, 2021. "Features of Information Coverage of Regional Environmental Policy on the Instance of the Republic of Tatarstan," International Journal of Financial Research, International Journal of Financial Research, Sciedu Press, vol. 12(2), pages 210-218, April.
    18. Mello, Kaline de & Fendrich, Arthur Nicolaus & Borges-Matos, Clarice & Brites, Alice Dantas & Tavares, Paulo André & da Rocha, Gustavo Casoni & Matsumoto, Marcelo & Rodrigues, Ricardo Ribeiro & Joly, , 2021. "Integrating ecological equivalence for native vegetation compensation: A methodological approach," Land Use Policy, Elsevier, vol. 108(C).
    19. Hélène Barbé & Nathalie Frascaria-Lacoste, 2021. "Integrating Ecology into Land Planning and Development: Between Disillusionment and Hope, Questioning the Relevance and Implementation of the Mitigation Hierarchy," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(22), pages 1-16, November.

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