Comments on: What is the Business Case for Biodiversity Offsets? — my new paper in SQ — raising the sustainability quotient http://www.biodiversityoffsets.net/what-is-the-business-case-for-biodiversity-offsets-my-new-paper-in-sq-raising-the-sustainability-quotient/ A Platform for Information and Exchange on Biodiversity Offsets and the Mitigation Hierarchy by Marianne Darbi Tue, 02 May 2017 16:49:45 +0000 hourly 1 By: Derrick Wilkinson http://www.biodiversityoffsets.net/what-is-the-business-case-for-biodiversity-offsets-my-new-paper-in-sq-raising-the-sustainability-quotient/#comment-7676 Sat, 01 Aug 2015 10:10:34 +0000 http://www.biodiversityoffsets.net/?p=2263#comment-7676 A very good discussion of the demand side of offsets. In my view, offsets should be a mandatory part of all development planning regimes. While there are many motives for businesses to voluntarily seek to acquire offset sites, mandatory participation would ensure the greatest demand for offset sites — both by area and by environmental characteristics — and thereby contribute to the realisation of the greatest environmental benefits. But this assumes the right types of land are available in the right locations to provide offset sites, and the greater the demand for offset sites, the less certain it is that such sites will be available.

In order to ensure the provision and ongoing management of appropriate areas and types of offset sites at a price businesses can afford, it is necessary to encourage the participation of as many land owners and land managers as possible — to encourage the development of a large and liquid supply of potential offset sites. Unless a business case is made for the commercial provision and ongoing management of offset sites, demand for sites will be frustrated and the potential environmental benefits reduced. Development of the business case for the supply side of biodiversity offsetting is critically important if offsetting is to realise its full environmental and economic potential

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