Biodiversity offsets implementation in Sweden – a practitioner’s view

Abstract

Implementation of biodiversity offsets is increasingly being applied in Sweden - primary as an instrument to mitigate the rapid loss of natural habitats due to various exploitation projects. Being one of the leading practitioners in biodiversity offsetting in Sweden Enetjärn Natur draw upon several years of practical experiences and knowledge gain in the design and development of such projects. Here we present crucial aspects that need to be taken into account when implementing biodiversity offsetting during the start-up, design, management and follow-up phases. Focus is on experiences from various biodiversity-offset projects carried out in Sweden during the last 10 years. Among the aspects considered are; judicial conformation, the need rigid evaluation/calculation models, management tools including restoration, and well-developed, research-based follow-up programs. Knowledge sharing and close contact between different stakeholders, including practitioners and researchers, form the basis for successful implementation of biodiversity offsetting - considering the complexity and the variety of conditions under which they develop.