Integrating Biodiversity Conservation into Oil and Gas ... - EBI

equires a set of reference conditions to provide
a baseline against which to measure the direction
and scale of change and consequent impacts. Before
activity begins, a biodiversity baseline study may
be required to provide the necessary information
on the site-specific environmental setting of the
project and the components of biodiversity that may
be affected. Ideally, field surveys should be designed
to yield information about ecosystem or species
functioning, and record the habitats and species
in the area. Because biodiversity field surveys may
require significant time and resources, it may be
most effective to combine them with other project
surveys. The results of the baseline surveys should
be shared with stakeholders, to obtain feedback and
identify the extent and nature of any further work
that might be required.
5. Evaluation (impact analysis): Evaluation is used to
assess the significance of any potential predicted
primary or secondary impacts to biodiversity
and their effects over time. Changes may not be
immediate, but can be either the result of single or
cumulative impacts, typically when a threshold is
exceeded. In evaluating the overall significance of an
impact, it is necessary to consider the biodiversity
value of the affected area or resource and the
magnitude of the impact. Biodiversity should be
considered at three levels: ecosystem/habitat,
species and genetic. There is also a social change
component to consider, and it is therefore important
to predict and assess impact on biodiversity in
terms of both conservation and the sustainable use
of biodiversity resources. At this stage, engagement
with key stakeholders is vital in determining
significance of potential impacts, as many of the
ecological functions that make an ecosystem or
species important are related to the environmental,
economic or cultural values and services of that
ecosystem or species to human populations.
6. Development of mitigation options and implementation:
Once a thorough impact evaluation has been
completed, a checklist of mitigation options can be
developed, using the hierarchy of avoid – reduce
– remedy – compensate to rank options in order
of preference. The purpose of mitigation is to
identify measures that safeguard the environment
and affected communities. Mitigation measures
might include avoiding siting facilities in areas
of high biodiversity value, reducing land take to
the minimum practicable, implementing waste
treatment methods to reduce impact on biodiversity,
restoring impacted areas using native species and
in ways that are compatible with local ecology,
or offsetting impacts by creating or managing
equal (in size, quality and function) habitats.
Because secondary impacts may be difficult to
address unilaterally, companies should ensure
early and active involvement of stakeholders in
mitigation plans and may consider participating
in government-led regional planning exercises.
To be most effective, mitigation measures must be
translated into action in the correct way and at the
right time, a process called impact management that
takes place during project implementation. Because
there are usually several options for mitigation of
impacts, selection of measures should consider the
present and future equity of impacts and benefits
from the chosen course of action. Social mitigation
measures may be seen as a social investment that
leads to increased cooperation between stakeholders
and project proponents, while at the same time
potentially reducing risks. As with any mitigation
measure, government and regulatory agency
agreement may be important, particularly where the
government is a project partner and a stakeholder
in the long-term success of the action. It is also
desirable to have full company management support
of mitigation measures to facilitate integration
of mitigation efforts as part of daily management
expectations and provide support for funding and
implementation programs.
7. Monitoring and adaptation: This stage in the process
is used to monitor impacts on biodiversity at
relevant stages throughout the life of a project,
ensure compliance with terms and conditions of
approval, monitor the impacts of development
and the effectiveness of mitigation measures, take
any actions necessary to ameliorate problems, and
provide feedback to improve future applications
of the ESIA process. A biodiversity monitoring
program that systematically compares and assesses
changes to biodiversity against baseline data can
allow a company to evaluate its level of impact and
adapt its behavior accordingly (see Section 6 for
more information on using biodiversity indicators
to monitor impact). Monitoring also provides a
way to evaluate the accuracy of impact predictions
and the degree of success of mitigation measures.
This stage provides one of the best opportunities
for involvement with other stakeholders, and in
particular the development of partnerships.
32 The Energy & Biodiversity Initiative