Biodiversity and Environmental Net Gain
Biodiversity is a key component to ensure healthy ecosystems and therefore an integral element for the successful operation of our economies, environment, and wider society. Delivering biodiversity and environmental net gain can present opportunities for engagement and collaboration with diverse set of stakeholders, both within and beyond the built environment industry.
What is Biodiversity Net Gain?
Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) aims to safeguard and improve the well-being of natural and urban ecosystems in the UK by mitigating against the potential adverse effects of new development; seeking to ensure that the future state of these ecosystems is in a superior condition and quality than their present state. The UN Convention on Biological Diversity defines biodiversity as the variability among organisms from all sources and the ecological complexes of which they are a part, including diversity within species, between species and of ecosystems.
What is Environmental Net Gain?
Environmental Net Gain (ENG) is defined by the UK National Infrastructure Commission as an ‘approach to development that leaves both biodiversity and the environment in a measurably better state than prior to development’. ENG can be measured by biodiversity measures, ecosystem services and environmental metrics
Biodiversity Net Gain legislation
Under the UK government’s 25-year Environment Plan, new legislation within England will require all new development to provide a biodiversity uplift of a minimum of 10%, with use of the Defra BNG metric. This legislation is expected to come into force in November 2023, and will need to be considered by all stakeholders in the built environment from designers and architects to financial institutions and property consultants.
Why is it important?
Achieving successful biodiversity and environmental net gain requires the collaboration and communication between all stakeholders involved across the implementation process and offers opportunities for the developers to enhance the liveability and functionality of the places within which we live and work.
What is UKGBC doing in this area?
Sector Ambition Statement
Transformational change
Interventions
Biodiversity Net Gain Resources
Biodiversity and Environmental Net Gain Project Partners
Our work on Biodiversity Net Gain and Environmental Gain is generously supported by the following organisations.