Challenges of achieving biodiversity offsetting through agri-environmental schemes: evidence from an empirical study

Coralie Calvet (), Philippe Le Coent, Fabien Quétier and Claude Napoleone ()
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Coralie Calvet: CEE-M - Centre d'Economie de l'Environnement - Montpellier - FRE2010 - INRA - Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique - UM - Université de Montpellier - CNRS - Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique - Montpellier SupAgro - Institut national d’études supérieures agronomiques de Montpellier
Fabien Quétier: Biotope [Mèze]
Claude Napoleone: ECODEVELOPPEMENT - Unité de recherche d'Écodéveloppement - INRA - Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique

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Abstract: Biodiversity offsetting (BO) claims to slow down biodiversity loss caused by development projects by generating ecological gains mainly through restoration activities conducted on land acquired to this effect. This leads to social conflicts around accessing land, especially with farmers and other land-users. The purpose of this paper is to analyze the opportunities and challenges of implementing BO by involving farmers through contracts akin to agri-environmental or stewardship schemes to produce ecological gains. We call them Agri-environmental Biodiversity Offsets Schemes (ABOS) and conduct an empirical analysis of a large ABOS program implemented for a new railway line in Southern France. We examine the effectiveness of ABOS through a survey carried out with 145 farmers and find that the main determinants of ABOS acceptability are: i) socio-economic factors, ii) social norms, iii) trust with contracting institutions, and iv) ease of integration in farm activities. Although ABOS allow developers to meet their legal requirements, major concerns are raised about additionality, especially through the manifestation of windfall effects, long-term permanence, and non-compliance with contract requirements. We conclude with policy recommendations and research perspectives to improve the implementation of ABOS for both nature and people.

Keywords: No net loss policies; Agri-environmental schemes; Behavioral economics; Contracts theory; Survey with farmers; Determinants of acceptability analysis; Biodiversity offsets (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2019
Note: View the original document on HAL open archive server: https://hal.science/hal-02100412v1
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (3)

Published in Ecological Economics, 2019, 163, pp.113-125. ⟨10.1016/j.ecolecon.2019.03.026⟩

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Working Paper: Challenges of achieving biodiversity offsetting through agri-environmental schemes: evidence from an empirical study (2016)
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:hal:journl:hal-02100412

DOI: 10.1016/j.ecolecon.2019.03.026

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