North-West University (South Africa) , Potchefstroom Campus
Abstract
M Environmental Management, North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2016Biodiversity offsets are widely considered to offer a workable solution to the environment versus development dilemma by allowing development with residual biodiversity loss to continue, in turn for protection of equal biodiversity elsewhere. Offsets have been used in South Africa for at least a decade, but without formal regulatory guidance. The practical implications of this have not yet been explored. This research aimed to identify the challenges and opportunities experienced in the conceptualisation and planning phases of offsets that could impact on the quality and implementability thereof. It was also investigated what impact the timing of when an offset is introduced in the EIA process, has on the quality of offsets. A methodology to measure quality of offsets was developed. Five case studies were analysed by using document analysis and interviews. The research revealed that the offset quality is considered acceptable, but that there are various challenges experienced in the conceptualisation and planning phases. A lack of transparency, trust and understanding between parties of the purpose of offsets and the availability of land for offset sites were some of the challenges mentioned. A lack of understanding about offsets in government, but also among developers, is the cause of many of these challenges. The research reflected a desperate need for national policy guidance. Interestingly, interviewees had diverse opinions on when an offset should be introduced in the EIA process. The timing of the introduction of the offset was found to have an impact on the application of the mitigation hierarchy, the ability to have an agreement in place before the activity starts, the consideration of long-term effects and the enforceability of the offset – it could have detrimental consequences when an offset is only introduced at the very end of project planning. The national policy for offsets that is currently under development should make it clear when in the EIA an offset should be introduced. It should have a focus on capacity development for all parties involved in offsets to improve trust and transparency. An opportunity exists to use the significant amount of biodiversity information available in South Africa to strategically identify offset sites.Master
