Location
Bld 67.101
Start Date
3-12-2012 1:30 PM
End Date
3-12-2012 2:00 PM
Description
Purpose – The paper analyses company efforts around biodiversity offsetting. The focus is on the role of accounting in biodiversity offsetting practices and the reporting of biodiversity offsetting information. Design/methodology/approach – This paper takes a case study approach. It analyses the practice and reporting of biodiversity offsetting in a state-owned New Zealand coal-mining company, Solid Energy. This company could be considered to be at the forefront of biodiversity offsetting practice within the country. Company reports and a review of public documents are examined along with two interviews. Findings –The analysis reveals the company is accounting for biodiversity offsetting in a manner which is presented as relatively unproblematic. It is identified that a market-based approach to biodiversity protection/management has been adopted. Concern is raised in relation to biodiversity offsetting and reporting and questions posed as to whether it will lead to greater accountability and ultimately protection of wildlife, or represent a mechanism through which particular species and habitat destruction can be justified, or at least hidden in its accounting.
Biodiversity offsetting and reporting: Challenges in how to account for snails, ducks and kiwi
Bld 67.101
Purpose – The paper analyses company efforts around biodiversity offsetting. The focus is on the role of accounting in biodiversity offsetting practices and the reporting of biodiversity offsetting information. Design/methodology/approach – This paper takes a case study approach. It analyses the practice and reporting of biodiversity offsetting in a state-owned New Zealand coal-mining company, Solid Energy. This company could be considered to be at the forefront of biodiversity offsetting practice within the country. Company reports and a review of public documents are examined along with two interviews. Findings –The analysis reveals the company is accounting for biodiversity offsetting in a manner which is presented as relatively unproblematic. It is identified that a market-based approach to biodiversity protection/management has been adopted. Concern is raised in relation to biodiversity offsetting and reporting and questions posed as to whether it will lead to greater accountability and ultimately protection of wildlife, or represent a mechanism through which particular species and habitat destruction can be justified, or at least hidden in its accounting.