What is Biodiversity Net Gain?
An Introduction to Biodiversity Net Gain ![Biodiversity net gain graphic of houses and trees](/media/cl1l4bpr/professional-business-timeline-infographic-small.png?width=200&height=500)
What is Biodiversity Net Gain?
Biodiversity refers to the variety of species, habitats and ecosystems in particular area or region.
Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) is a new approach to planning and land management that aims to leave the natural environment in a better state than before development occurred
Why is BNG Important?
The UK has witnessed significant declines in its biodiversity over the last century as a result of development deteriorating and fragmenting established ecosystems.
In November 2021, the Environment Act laid out statutory targets for the recovery of the natural environment in four priority areas: air quality, biodiversity, water and waste, with an overarching target to halt species decline by the end of 2030.
Specifically, in response to ‘biodiversity’, the Act paved the way for a new legal requirement that development must achieve a minimum 10% net increase in biodiversity, to be maintained for a minimum period of 30 years, so as to leave the natural environment in a measurably better state than it was before development occurred.
More information on the state of nature in the UK can be found in the annual State of Nature report.