What compromise should be found between ecological relevance and economic efficiency when organizing ecological compensation? Analysis of the case of natural compensation sites

Abstract

In this paper, the authors propose an evaluation of the different ways of organizing offsetting by crossing the theoretical advantages of Natural Compensation Sites (NCS) with the first empirical results of experiments implemented in France. The aim of this paper is to discuss the potential advantages and concrete limits of the NCS system in comparison with "classic" offsets carried out on a case-by-case basis, from both an ecological and economic point of view. At the end of this analysis, the authors propose to go beyond the CNS framework to take a broader look at the possible future of biodiversity conservation policies.