Biodiversity Net Gain
Biodiversity Net Gain is a term that is featuring with increasing frequency in discussions around development. The publication of guidance documents in recent years, development of biodiversity metrics (used to measure Net Gain) and integration of the concept into policy, means that Biodiversity Net Gain is firmly on the agenda when it comes to planning, and its application is set to become further entrenched in relation to projects as time goes on.
Back to basics – what exactly is biodiversity net gain?
Biodiversity Net Gain, as a concept, developed in tandem with the confirmation that current measures to protect biodiversity are woefully insufficient – doing little to halt the decline in habitats and species. In addition, the growing realisation that it is in society’s best interests to ensure that a healthy natural environment is nurtured and maintained, has resulted in the worrying declines in biodiversity and degradation of the environment, being taken seriously.
In a nutshell, Biodiversity Net Gain is “development that leaves biodiversity in a better state than before” [1].
What are the drivers?
The recently revised National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) and the accompanying National Planning Policy Guidance (NPPG) states that the planning system should look to “identify and pursue opportunities for securing measurable net gains for biodiversity”[2]. On the back of this, local planning authorities are increasingly looking to stipulate Biodiversity Net Gain as part of their requirements. It is also anticipated that the future Environment Bill will make Biodiversity Net Gain a mandatory requirement for certain types of development.
How is Biodiversity Net Gain achieved?
The basis of the approach is the diligent application of the Mitigation Hierarchy (seeking to avoid and minimise adverse impacts, before seeking to mitigate for and replace the loss of natural resources), the measurablenature of the framework, and its emphasis on collaboration with other interest groups and stakeholders to achieve long-term benefits that go over and above the minimum.
In order to provide clarity regarding the application of Biodiversity Net Gain, the recently published, practical guide [3], offers advice; this follows on from the 2016 publication of the good practice principles [1].
Biodiversity Net Gain is partly determined through the use of biodiversity metrics –the new Defra biodiversity metric 2.0is considered widely to be the standard metric for use; the metric provides a means by which to compare losses and gains in relation to the baseline of a site and future predictions. In addition, the British Standards Institute is currently preparing a standard to accompany the new Defra metric.
What does this mean for projects?
Whilst many of the details still need to be ironed out, in a broad sense, it is certain that Biodiversity Net Gain will become a requirement of the planning system. The development and integration of methodology, policy, guidance and future legislation, will all serve to bolster these requirements. It is therefore advisable (as with all things ecological) that Biodiversity Net Gain considerations are taken into account early on in the development process.
For further help and advice, please speak to one of our ecologists.
Notes:
[1] CIRIA, CIEEM, IEMA, 2016. Biodiversity Net Gain: Good practice principles for development.
[2] Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, 2019. National Planning Policy Framework.