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.
Prior to 7 March 2025 if a biodiversity certification proponent could demonstrate that they could not find like-for-like credits, they could seek approval to offset using the variation rules. Amendments to the Biodiversity Conservation Act 2016 mean that from 7 March 2025 biodiversity certification proponents can no longer be granted approval to use the variation rules. If a biodiversity certification proponent has an approval to use the variation rules that was granted before 7 March 2025, they can continue to use variation rules.
For more information about the amendments to the Biodiversity Conservation Act please visit the Biodiversity Offsets Scheme reforms webpage.
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.