Rethinking Environmental Impact Assessment for nature positive development

Abstract

Achieving nature positive development within existing regulatory frameworks will be challenging. Halting and reversing biodiversity loss requires restoration and enhancement of ecosystems alongside a fundamental shift in how we value biodiversity and assess quantifiable improvements. Environmental Impact Assessments (EIAs) focussed on mitigating negative impacts do not promote positive outcomes – a new approach is needed. We propose an additional EIA pathway that assesses potential for biodiversity gains at development sites, framing biodiversity as an asset to be enhanced, rather than a problem to avoid. By adding the identification of biodiversity opportunities to development planning, this approach encourages actions that support sustainable and resilient ecosystems, providing a clearer link to the social and economic benefits that can also be accumulated. Through two hypothetical case studies, we illustrate how this ‘nature positive' pathway identifies biodiversity potential. We discuss how developers may be incentivised to align with the global nature positive agenda.