Place of natural compensation sites in the "Avoid-Reduce-Compensate" sequence and overview of associated issues

Abstract

While it has occupied a growing part of the public debate in recent years, the "Avoid-Reduce-Compensate" sequence is a public action instrument with the objective of a non-net loss of biodiversity during land development operations. With the adoption of the 2016 law for the reconquest of biodiversity, nature and landscapes, compensatory measures can now be implemented within natural offset sites managed by an operator in anticipation of future offset requests. How can these sites contribute to achieving the objective of no net loss of biodiversity and what are the risks associated with their emergence? In this introduction, the authors propose a few avenues for reflection.