Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) is an unprecedented opportunity to channel private finance into nature at scale and deliver meaningful ecological outcomes in England, not only mitigating harm from property development, but making an additional positive contribution to the local environment.
The government has been rightly ambitious to develop this policy, and the resulting market potential is substantial, estimated to be worth between £135 million and £274 million annually.
BNG offers potential benefits not only for the environment, but also for local communities, government, and the wider economy. With these potential benefits of BNG in reach, it is vital that the policy is implemented successfully. BNG is viewed as a highly ambitious policy, and many interested parties – both domestic and international – are watching to see how these many opportunities can be realised.
A group of experts leading on the development of BNG projects and investment in BNG projects across England – spanning ecology, land use, academia, finance, and local government – has formed to support the rollout of BNG, but also highlight that its success hinges on several factors yet to be addressed. These relate to the robust supply of, and demand for, BNG units and building capacity within the market.
On request, the Green Finance Institute convened these stakeholders (see Working Group Participants) to prepare this briefing note that calls to attention five high and immediate priorities for government to address to ensure the success of the newly launched BNG market.
The full briefing note is available here
As part of this Working Group, the Green Finance Institute has also noted several medium-term priorities and concerns, including supportive improvements to the Biodiversity Metric. For brevity, we have not included these in this document, but will provide more detail on these in the coming months.
If you have any questions or comments on this work, or would like to be involved in further discussions, please contact us at hive@gfi.green.
Working Group Participants:
With many thanks for their contributions to this briefing note:
Craig Llewellyn, Associate Ecologist & Biodiversity Policy Specialist, AtkinsGeorgie Nelson, Head of ESG, AbrdnMatthew Stanton, Head of Advocacy, Berks, Bucks & Oxon Wildlife TrustPrue Addison, Conservation Strategy Director, Berks, Bucks & Oxon Wildlife TrustRoland Bull, Head of Rural Investment, BidwellsDavid Sutherland, Environment Bill Readiness Manager, Buckinghamshire County CouncilJames Kelly, Head of Investments, Connected Asset ManagementMatthew Buckler, Director of Natural Solutions, Derbyshire Wildlife TrustDan James, Development Director, Eden ProjectEmma Toovey, Ecology Director, Environment BankAlex Hume, Senior Associate, Finance EarthRichard Fitton, Director, Finance EarthSamuel Evans, Head of Natural Environment, Greater Manchester Combined AuthorityHelen Avery, Director of Nature Programmes, Green Finance InstitutePhoebe Tucker, Nature Associate, Green Finance InstituteJustin Adams OBE, Chair of Trustees, Trust for Oxfordshire’s EnvironmentDavid Short, Partner, Lux NovaJo Heath, Green Finance Project Manager, National TrustJoel Sellors-Moore, Ecologist, National TrustTim Field, Founder and Facilitator, Northeast Cotswolds Farming ClusterMartin Taylor, Director, Oakleaf Land and DevelopmentTim Coates, Co-Founder, Oxbury BankNatalie Duffus, PhD Student, University of OxfordSophus zu Ermgassen, Ecological Economist, University of OxfordThomas Gegg, Project Development Lead, PalladiumMatthew McLuckie, Managing Partner, Posaidon CapitalJack Rhodes, Environmental Consultant, RSPBSarah Burston, Programme Manager Biodiversity Net Gain, RSPBMark Alden, Enterprise Development Lead, South Downs National ParkArchie Ruggles-Brise, Partner and Estate Owner, Spains Hall EstateSarah-Jane Chimbwandira, Chief Executive Officer, Surrey Wildlife TrustTom Dyke, Senior Corporate Finance Manager, Triodos Bank UKWhitni Thomas, Head of Corporate Finance, Triodos Bank UKRafi Cohen, Co-Chief Executive Officer, VernaDavid Cole, Ecologist, Warwickshire County CouncilDavid Lowe, Team Leader, Ecology, Historic Environment & Landscape, Warwickshire County CouncilGlenn Anderson, Director of Landscape Strategy, Wendling Beck Exemplar ProjectPhoebe Cox, Green Finance Manager, The Wildlife TrustsRebecca Pullinger, Lead Policy Advocate – Planning, Woodland TrustLaura Moody, Associate Director, WSPJenny Merriman, Nature Advisory Strategic Lead, WSP
Photo by Kristina Paukshtite