Achieving No Net Loss or Net Gain of Biodiversity: Good Practice Guide

Committing to achieving no net loss (NNL), or even a net gain (NG), of biodiversity at mining and metals operations is crucial for our industry to contribute to the global objective of halting and reversing biodiversity loss.

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ICMM's new guidance is designed to help mining and metals companies achieve and maintain no net loss of biodiversity at their operations ultimately strive for net gain of biodiversity, as they work towards a nature-positive future.
ICMM’s Position Statement: Nature includes commitments across mining and metals companies’ four spheres of influence: direct operations, value chains, landscapes and systems transformation, all supported by transparency. Achievement of NNL or NG of biodiversity for all members’ direct operations is a core foundation of their contributions to a nature positive future.

Achieving NNL or NG of biodiversity requires tailored, context-specific strategies due to variations in ecological settings, operational scales and types of mineral extractions. However, certain fundamental components underpin effective practices in this area.
ICMM’s Achieving No Net Loss or Net Gain of Biodiversity: Good Practice Guide outlines a seven-step process, applicable at each stage of the mining lifecycle from a project’s design to post-closure and production, to help companies establish baseline assessments, apply the mitigation hierarchy and transparently disclose progress towards their no net loss, or net gain, goal.

It is a technical resource designed for practitioners at site level and corporate professionals overseeing sustainability and biodiversity strategies to help scale and accelerate the implementation of these approaches across the industry.
The guidance builds on decades of experience and lessons learned by our members in rehabilitation, restoration, and no net loss strategies.
By integrating real-world examples and global insights, the guidance can help mining and metals companies, regardless of their size, maturity level or location, achieve no net loss or net gain of biodiversity

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