Compensatory Conservation Scheme Support (C2S2) Network
Compensatory Conservation Schemes Support (C2S2) Network
Overview
Accelerating High-Integrity Biodiversity Compensation Systems Worldwide
The Compensatory Conservation Schemes Support Network (C2S2) is a global initiative designed to support governments in designing, adopting, and implementing high-integrity compensatory conservation mechanisms – such as mitigation banking and biodiversity offsets.
By operationalising these systems effectively, C2S2 aims to align economic development with biodiversity protection and unlock billions of dollars in private investment for ecosystem restoration and conservation.
Why This Matters
Global infrastructure investment – estimated at USD 9 trillion annually – continues to drive biodiversity loss, while financing for nature remains critically insufficient.
Compensatory conservation mechanisms offer a practical, market-based solution. When designed with integrity, they transform environmental compliance into a driver of measurable conservation outcomes.
- The biodiversity compensation market has grown from USD 4.8 billion (2016) to ~USD 6 billion (2024)
- It is projected to reach over USD 30 billion by 2030
Despite this growth, adoption remains uneven due to:
- Fragmented policy frameworks
- Limited institutional capacity
- Inconsistent metrics and monitoring approaches
C2S2 addresses these barriers through coordinated technical assistance, policy support, and capacity-building. C2S2 is designed to address these barriers through coordinated technical assistance, policy support, and capacity building. It brings together the collective expertise of the Environmental Policy Innovation Center, the Green Finance Institute (GFI), Terrasos, UNEP FI, UNDP BIOFIN, and the Wildlife Conservation Society to support governments in developing high-integrity, scalable systems.
Design Components for Compensatory Conservation Schemes
These components outline what is required to design, implement, and optimise compensatory conservation schemes. It is intended to be illustrative and adaptable, recognising that the development of such schemes will vary across jurisdictions and according to ecological, social, and economic contexts.
This framework is primarily targeted at those who have the responsibility or mandate to design, implement and oversee compensatory conservation schemes, such as elected officials, government officials and regulators. This framework is also relevant for other key stakeholders, such as project developers, landowners, institutional investors, corporate buyers, civil society organisations and academia.
Introductory Webinar
Useful Resources
The C2S2 Network has compiled a selection of useful resources for countries interested in designing and implementing compensatory conservation schemes.
A roadmap to No Net Loss of Biodiversity: Lessons learnt by the COMBO+ countries
Collates practical lessons in Guinea, Uganda, Mozambique and Madagascar based on applying a government roadmap for developing and implementing mitigation policy to achieve No Net loss of biodiversity at the national level.
Contents to include in Technical Offset Guidelines to Accompany No Net Loss /Net Gain policy
Outlines essential components that national technical guidelines should contain to support the implementation of No Net Loss/Net Gain mitigation policy, covering the mitigation hierarchy, offset design, implementation, documentation, enforcement, and roles of key actors.
Get in Touch
Interested governments and partners are encouraged to connect with the C2S2 Network to explore collaboration opportunities and access support. You can email revenues4nature@gfi.green to stay in touch or register your interest below.
