Operational Framework for Use of Conservation Allowances: chapter 1

Background

Conservation allowances (also referred to as conservation offsets) provide measurable conservation outcomes through implementation of project-based actions. Conservation allowances provide a balancing effect by establishing new environmental features (such as habitat or ecosystem types) to compensate for those that have been impacted. Conservation allowances address the “residual impacts” that remain after measures to avoid and minimize are adopted.

The goal of conservation allowances is to achieve environmentally responsible development by replacing ecosystem functions that would be lost as a result of proposed land- or resource-use activities. When used effectively, conservation allowances help to conserve and protect important environmental resources. For example, a conservation allowance could entail securing and preserving high-quality replacement habitat to compensate for the loss of species’ habitat due to a land- or resource-use activity.

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