No Net Loss of Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services: Applying the Mitigation Hierarchy and Biodiversity Offsets - Briefing

This briefing paper outlines a structured approach to balancing economic development with environmental conservation across the Western Indian Ocean region. Marine ecosystems, which support local livelihoods, face escalating degradation from industrial expansion, infrastructure development, and climate change. To counter these pressures, the document evaluates the implementation of the mitigation hierarchy and no net loss principles, drawing on regional examples from Mozambique and Madagascar. It identifies critical governance gaps, regulatory inconsistencies, and capacity constraints as primary barriers to effective environmental management. Ultimately, the text establishes that institutionalising coordinated spatial planning and standardized financing mechanisms is essential for safeguarding regional biodiversity.