What Is Biodiversity Net Gain?

Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) has emerged as an essential concept in sustainable development practices. It aims to enhance the natural habitats and ecosystems, ensuring that they are in a more favourable condition post-development than they were initially. This article elaborates on what BNG is, who it affects, and how it is measured and delivered.

A. Introduction to Biodiversity Net Gain

1. Defining Biodiversity Net Gain

BNG signifies an approach to land development and management that enhances biodiversity, leaving it measurably superior than before the development commenced. It’s a strategy that ensures that the environment for wildlife is in a more favourable state than before any development took place.

2. Legal Considerations

From November 2023, BNG will be a legal obligation. Developers will have to show that they have taken steps to avoid loss of habitat, or if loss is inevitable, they must create habitat either on-site or off-site. If neither option is feasible, they must purchase statutory credits from the government as a last resort.

B. Who is Affected by Biodiversity Net Gain?

1. Land Managers

Land managers with land in England, consent to register land, and a legal agreement for the land they are registering can benefit from BNG. They can get paid by selling biodiversity units.

2. Developers

For developers, BNG poses a challenge in terms of incorporating it into their development plans. They must strive to avoid habitat loss on the land on which they plan to develop.

3. Local Planning Authorities

Local Planning Authorities (LPAs) are responsible for approving a biodiversity net gain plan before development can start. They are also instrumental in ensuring that the proposed plans adhere to BNG guidelines.

C. Biodiversity Net Gain in Action

1. Understanding the BNG Process

The BNG process involves various stages, starting from site selection and pre-application to management, monitoring, and reporting. The aim is to avoid any negative impacts on nature, enhance the biodiversity unit value of the site, and ensure that net gains are managed and maintained.

2. Delivering BNG

BNG can be delivered through different mechanisms:

• On-site (Units): This involves habitat creation or enhancement via landscaping or green infrastructure on the development site.
• Off-site (Units): This involves habitat creation or enhancement on a different site, which could include habitat banks with public and private landowners.
• Statutory Credits: These are purchased from the government if BNG cannot be delivered on-site or off-site. These credits fund large-scale habitat projects, providing long-term nature-based solutions.

D. The Importance of BNG

1. For Nature

BNG contributes towards nature recovery by enhancing existing or creating new habitats. It helps wildlife adapt to climate change and creates interconnected green and blue networks that deliver local nature recovery strategies.

2. For People and Places

BNG can improve health and well-being by creating new or enhancing existing green spaces. It can also make places more attractive to live and work, contribute to place-making, and finance investment in green infrastructure and nature-based solutions.

3. For the Economy

BNG can create greener neighbourhoods that are more attractive places to live, work, and do business. For landowners, BNG can create long-term income opportunities through investment in habitat management. It can also increase financial and natural capital asset values.

4. For Climate Change

BNG can help mitigate and adapt to climate change through the restoration and protection of nature. It also allows local communities to be directly involved in climate-related adaptation projects and increases resilience to weather extremes.

E. How to Maximize BNG Benefits

1. For Landowners

Landowners can explore options for delivering net gain on their site, undertake a baseline assessment using the Biodiversity Metric, and start conversations with LPAs and other relevant brokers in the market.

2. For Developers

Developers can consider net gain at the site selection and design phase of projects and engage in collaborative partnerships working to find opportunities for BNG delivery. They should design, broker, and deliver net gain in accordance with best practice principles and standards, using appropriate ecological expertise.

3. For Local Planning Authorities

LPAs can develop approaches to embed BNG in local planning policy and decision-making. They can identify features and areas for habitat creation and enhancement within strategic plans and/or Local Nature Recovery Strategies. They can also take a flexible approach to BNG delivery, including off-site options.

F. Biodiversity Net Gain Metrics

1. What is a Biodiversity Metric?

A biodiversity metric is a tool used by ecologists to measure changes in biodiversity. It assigns every habitat on a site a ‘unit value’ based on its relative value for biodiversity. This allows a comparison between the habitat found on a site before and after development.

2. Factors Underpinning the Biodiversity Metric

Key factors underpinning the comparison include habitat size, condition, distinctiveness, and location. Each habitat’s value is measured considering these factors, which help determine the biodiversity value of an area of land.

G. Preparing for BNG

To prepare for BNG, it’s essential to understand its requirements, implications, and benefits. Developers, landowners, and LPAs must all be proactive in incorporating BNG into their plans and strategies. As BNG becomes an increasingly integral part of sustainable development, understanding and implementing it effectively will be crucial for all involved.

In conclusion, Biodiversity Net Gain is more than a legal obligation; it’s an ethos that places nature at the heart of development, ensuring that we leave our natural habitats in a better state than we found them. Through effective planning, collaboration, and strategic implementation, BNG can become a standard practice that benefits not only wildlife but also people, the economy, and the broader environment.