This page sets out the options available under standard and strategic biodiversity certification to meet a credit obligation.
Biodiversity certification
For standard biodiversity certification, the options to meet a credit obligation are:
- retiring credits based on the like-for-like offset rules
- making a payment to the Biodiversity Conservation Fund.
If an applicant can demonstrate that they were unable to find like-for-like credits, they can seek approval to offset using the variation rules. See the Ancillary rules: reasonable steps to seek like-for-like biodiversity credits for more information.
Strategic biodiversity certification
For strategic biodiversity certification, the Minister for the Environment may approve other conservation measures in addition to those available for standard biodiversity certification. These other measures can include:
- the reservation of land under the National Parks and Wildlife Act 1974 (NSW)
- development controls or state infrastructure contributions under the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979 (NSW) that conserve or enhance the natural environment
- any other measure determined to be an approved conservation measure by the Minister for the Environment.
Appendix J of the Biodiversity Assessment Method provides guidance about how to demonstrate the value of reservation of land or development controls proposed as conservation measures for a strategic biodiversity certification. See the Biodiversity Assessment Method 2020.