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Seeking convergence on the key concepts in ‘no net loss’ policy

Bull, Joseph, Gordon, Ascelin, Watson, James E. M., Maron, Martine, Carvalho, Silvia (2016) Seeking convergence on the key concepts in ‘no net loss’ policy. Journal of Applied Ecology, 53 (6). pp. 1686-1693. ISSN 0021-8901. E-ISSN 1365-2664. (doi:10.1111/1365-2664.12726) (The full text of this publication is not currently available from this repository. You may be able to access a copy if URLs are provided) (KAR id:63796)

The full text of this publication is not currently available from this repository. You may be able to access a copy if URLs are provided.
Official URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/1365-2664.12726

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.

Item Type: Article
DOI/Identification number: 10.1111/1365-2664.12726
Uncontrolled keywords: biodiversity offset, compensation, conservation, counterfactual, frame of reference, mitigation hierarchy, multiplier, no net loss, policy terminology
Divisions: Divisions > Division of Human and Social Sciences > School of Anthropology and Conservation
Depositing User: Joseph Bull
Date Deposited: 05 Oct 2017 08:23 UTC
Last Modified: 17 Aug 2022 12:22 UTC
Resource URI: https://kar.kent.ac.uk/id/eprint/63796 (The current URI for this page, for reference purposes)

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