There is unequivocal scientific consensus regarding the ongoing environmental crisis and strong global political ambition to halt biodiversity loss. Still, we are systematically failing at national-level implementation: globally, none of the Aichi biodiversity targets designed to stop biodiversity loss by 2020 were met. In BOOST (2021-2027) – Biodiversity Offsetting as an Operational Tool for a Just Sustainability Transition Towards No Net Loss of Ecosystems and Biodiversity – we facilitate the mainstreaming and enabling of a just transition toward the adoption of biodiversity offsets in Finland and globally.
Biodiversity offsetting (ecological compensations) refers to compensating for biodiversity losses caused by ecologically harmful human activities by generating biodiversity gains elsewhere through concrete actions in nature. Our more specific tasks include, developing a national offset register, biodiversity accounting, and a comprehensive, functional offsetting system.
The project’s three societal impact objectives:
- enhancing national and international understanding about biodiversity offsetting;
- developing biodiversity offsetting system;
- mainstreaming biodiversity offsetting.
The overarching goal of the BOOST research consortium is to facilitate a just sustainability transition towards no net loss (NNL) of ecosystems and biodiversity. BOOST will provide scientifically competent, economically feasible and socially acceptable means for adopting credible offset policies in Finland, covering design, implementation, accounting, monitoring, social justice and the legal framework.
The research project is funded by the Strategic Research Council. You can find us on linkedin and bluesky.
Our impact objectives
News
New biodiversity offsetting calculators will be published on 17.9.2025
Welcome to the launch event for the biodiversity offsetting calculators on Wednesday, September 17, 2025, from 1:00 to 2:00 PM.
Sign up to test habitat types for built environment
Do you want to be part of developing new tools for assessing biodiversity in the built environment?
Development of strategic biodiversity offsetting continued in Orivesi
BOOST’s work on developing a strategic biodiversity offsetting model for regional and sub-regional planning took a step forward at a workshop held on May 27, 2025, at Orivesi.
Habitat types for built environment – what are they good for?
The newly developed criteria for habitat types in the built environment have been met with interest, but they have also raised a question: how do habitat types in the built environment relate to natural habitat types?
Tools: Habitat types for built environment
The joint publication of the ARVO and BOOST projects describes the habitat types of Finland’s built environment and provides guidance for assessing their ecological status.
Recording: EEAC 30th anniversary conference panel on biodiversity offsetting
Watch the recording from panel discussion (14.9.2022) about the role of biodiversity offsetting in sustainable use of natural resources.
