Environmental Implications Of Environmental Risks - 773 Words

In a recent provocative piece, Laurance et al. (2015) outline nine issues that need to be considered by the proponents of infrastructure projects in order to minimise environmental degradation in both the short and long-term. Although the paper covers a wide range of issues, the alternative solutions for when building or upgrading infrastructure cannot be avoided, and the potential positives through preventing further agricultural land-use change, have not been fully explored. Laurance et al. (2015) begin their essay by arguing that, wherever possible, infrastructure projects should be avoided completely and that great caution should be taken when considering upgrades to existing infrastructure. However, Laurance et al. (2015) only†¦show more content†¦Biodiversity offsets aim for a ‘No Net Loss’ of biodiversity, by balancing the loss in one area, at one time, with a biodiversity gain in another, conserved area (BBOP, 2012; Apostolopoulou and Adams, 2015). For example, if an area of forest is removed, this could be compensated by ensuring the protection or reforestation of trees in another area (Apostolopoulou and Adams, 2015). Currently, offsets are being used in many areas across the world, (references) but their success is often reported to be uncertain due to problems in their design or implementation (Quintero Mathur, 2011; Bull et al., 2013). Therefore, although offsets alone may not be enough, a combined approach with landscap e-level conservation planning (LLCP) may allow industrial development to work synergistically with conservation (Bull et al., 2013). In LLCP, conservation goals are identified for either a specific species, community or ecological process. From there, the goals are used systematically to ascertain a set of areas, that once protected, would meet these conservation goals. For example, a study undertaken by Underwood (2009) compared the impacts to conservation projects when using a combination of LLCP with biodiversity offsets, to areas using only offsets, in San Diego Country, USA. He discovered that this combined approach was significantly more effective than offsets alone as there was a higher success rate of conservation for nearly all species of concern. Therefore,Show MoreRelatedMaterial Disclosure Of Risk Assessment And Implications Of Environmental, Social, And Governance Essay805 Words   |  4 Pages1.0 INTRODUCTION It is through the guidelines report that material disclosure of risk assessment and implications of environmental, social, and governance (ESG) factors is increasingly important, therefore companies need to raise awareness, management, and responsibility in offering more substantiated reporting. 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