Biodiversity net gain: a new duty?

25th October 2017


P8 nick blyth

Related Topics

Related tags

  • Policy

Author

IEMA

Significant attention is on the development of the government’s 25-year environment plan, which aims to achieve the overall ambition to be “the first generation to leave the natural environment of England in a better state than it inherited”.

From the content of the plan (setting objectives for 2040), to interfaces with other parts of government, via governance and reporting, there is much to do to bring together a coherent set of actions with performance milestones that will lead to a markedly better environment.

Given the importance of biodiversity, which in many areas is declining, it’s crucial that action is taken to halt biodiversity loss and embed policies that will lead to restoration and enhancement.

In the infrastructure sector, there are positive initiatives helping to address this decline. For example, the government’s road investment strategy states that, by 2020, Highways England must deliver no net loss of biodiversity, and that by 2040 it must deliver a net gain. East West Rail has a commitment to “delivering a measurable net biodiversity gain and positively contributing to the conservation of nature in the region”. Some construction and housebuilding companies also now have similar commitments.

As the application of biodiversity net gain gets translated into practical application, supported by initiatives such as the joint principles developed by IEMA, CIRIA and CIEEM – Biodiversity Net Gain: Good Practice Principles for Development – the question is whether a duty should be placed on developers to require this in the future. Also, as natural capital accounting tools become better established, should developers be required to deliver wider net-positive natural capital too?

Nick Blyth policy and engagement officer at IEMA @nblythiema

Subscribe

Subscribe to IEMA's newsletters to receive timely articles, expert opinions, event announcements, and much more, directly in your inbox.


Transform articles

BNG requirements could absorb 650,000 tonnes of carbon each year

The UK’s new biodiversity net gain (BNG) requirements could create 15,000 hectares of woodlands, heath, grasslands, and wetlands and absorb 650,000 tonnes of carbon each year.

13th March 2024

Read more

All major housing developments in England will be required by law to deliver at least a 10% increase in biodiversity under new rules that came into force today.

12th February 2024

Read more

As we approach the 40th anniversary of the Born Free Foundation, co-founder Will Travers OBE tells Chris Seekings how a new approach to conservation is needed to end animal suffering

1st February 2024

Read more

Ajirioghene Samuel looks at some exciting tree-planting initiatives, offering nature-based solutions to climate change impacts

1st February 2024

Read more

The UK should become the first G20 country to mandate financial disclosures on nature to propel widespread adoption by the private sector, according to an influential lobby group.

24th January 2024

Read more

The government is largely “off track” in meeting legally binding targets with nature in danger of “irreversible” decline, according to a highly critical report by the environmental watchdog.

24th January 2024

Read more

Media enquires

Looking for an expert to speak at an event or comment on an item in the news?

Find an expert

IEMA Cookie Notice

Clicking the ‘Accept all’ button means you are accepting analytics and third-party cookies. Our website uses necessary cookies which are required in order to make our website work. In addition to these, we use analytics and third-party cookies to optimise site functionality and give you the best possible experience. To control which cookies are set, click ‘Settings’. To learn more about cookies, how we use them on our website and how to change your cookie settings please view our cookie policy.

Manage cookie settings

Our use of cookies

You can learn more detailed information in our cookie policy.

Some cookies are essential, but non-essential cookies help us to improve the experience on our site by providing insights into how the site is being used. To maintain privacy management, this relies on cookie identifiers. Resetting or deleting your browser cookies will reset these preferences.

Essential cookies

These are cookies that are required for the operation of our website. They include, for example, cookies that enable you to log into secure areas of our website.

Analytics cookies

These cookies allow us to recognise and count the number of visitors to our website and to see how visitors move around our website when they are using it. This helps us to improve the way our website works.

Advertising cookies

These cookies allow us to tailor advertising to you based on your interests. If you do not accept these cookies, you will still see adverts, but these will be more generic.

Save and close