Document ID: chunk:federal_register_of_legislation:F2025L00230:reg:15:p1
Version: federal_register_of_legislation:F2025L00230
Segment Type: reg
Provision Reference: reg 15 (pt 1/3)
Character Range: 50460–53493

15  Assessing change in variable biodiversity project characteristics—capability of the area to support threatened species
Section applies to methodology determinations that require projects to identify and describe capability to support threatened species
 (1) This section applies to a methodology determination if the methodology determination requires project proponents of registered biodiversity projects covered by the methodology determination to identify and describe the capability of the project area to support threatened species.
Capability to support threatened species must be assessed
 (2) The methodology determination must contain a condition that a biodiversity project proposed to be covered by the methodology determination must not be registered unless the project proponent for the project:
 (a) has assessed the capability of the project area to support threatened species, in accordance with any processes or requirements specified in the methodology determination; and
 (b) based on the assessment:
 (i) if permitted by the methodology determination—has stated that the capability of the project area to support threatened species is not applicable to the project; or
 (ii) has complied with the requirements specified in subsection (3).
 (3) The requirements are as follows:
 (a) identified the relevant threatened species for the project area;
 (b) identified how the activities of the project will increase the capability of the project area to support the relevant threatened species;
 (c) determined the starting value of each of the indicators for the capability of the project area to support threatened species;
 (d) determined the forecast value of each of the indicators for the capability of the project area to support threatened species as a result of the activities of the project;
 (e) if a counterfactual scenario for the project is not a static counterfactual scenario:
 (i) determined the forecast change in each of the indicators for the capability of the project area to support threatened species as a result of the activities of the project, taking into account the counterfactual scenario for the project; and
 (ii) calculated or otherwise assessed the forecast change in the threatened species score for the project, taking into account the counterfactual scenario for the project;
 (f) provided evidence that the project is likely to result in the forecast value of, and (if applicable) the forecast change in, each of the indicators for the capability of the project area to support threatened species;
 (g) calculated or otherwise assessed the starting threatened species score for the project;
 (h) calculated or otherwise assessed the forecast threatened species score.
 (4) If a methodology determination specifies processes or requirements that must be complied with in relation to determining any of the matters in subsection (3), a biodiversity project covered by the methodology determination must not be registered unless the project proponent for the project has complied