More than the sum of its parts – Integrating the use of green area factor tool and biodiversity offsetting for no net loss urban planning

As part of the actions to fight biodiversity loss, the European Union is working on a restoration regulation demanding the principle of no net loss (NNL) state of biodiversity of urban green space. Applying this principle in urban planning may raise conflicts between biodiversity conservation and ecosystem services provision. Furthermore, integrating the NNL of biodiversity principle into urban planning cannot be isolated from existing planning tools or processes. Here we present a novel approach where the green area factor tool and biodiversity offsetting are integrated to achieve NNL of biodiversity in urban planning, while maintaining the necessary ecosystem services and avoiding the negative, unintended tradeoffs that may occur if only one of these tools is used in the planning process. We provide a model which combines the two approaches to create a holistic method to understand and govern both biodiversity and ecosystem services of urban greenery. The model is intended to be used as part of urban planning processes. • Introduces GAF and BO to support the EU’s no net loss biodiversity goal in urban planning. • Shows how combining GAF and BO balance biodiversity conservation with ecosystem services, enhancing both ecological and human well-being. • Provides dual scores to compare land use options and assess biodiversity offsetting impacts with clarity. • Strengthens the use of the whole mitigation hierarchy to secure NNL for biodiversity and ecosystem services in cities.