Avoidance is the first and most critical step of the mitigation hierarchy, yet it remains one of the least clearly understood and most challenging to implement in practice. This session will deepen understanding of what effective avoidance means across sectors, moving beyond simplified location‑based approaches to impact prevention and decision‑making. Through expert input and scenario‑based discussions, participants will explore practical constraints, no‑go area definitions, and sector‑specific challenges where avoidance may be limited. The session will also examine how companies can demonstrate and robust implementation of avoidance, strengthening credibility in biodiversity risk management and alignment with emerging guidance and standards.