Part of: Nature

Biodiversity and Environmental Net Gain

Embracing and adding to biodiversity on site is vital as we work to reverse the biodiversity crisis.

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

Explore Biodiversity Net Gain Definitions

Biodiversity Net Gain legislation

Under the Environment Act 2021, most new development in England is required to deliver a biodiversity uplift of a minimum of 10%, using the Defra BNG metric. The full legislation came into force in February 2024 for large sites and will apply to small site from April It 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?

UKGBC believes the protection and enhancement of nature is an essential action for built environment stakeholders.

Sector Ambition Statement

By 2030, all buildings and infrastructure will, throughout their lifetime, be climate resilient and maximise environmental net gains, through the prioritisation of nature-based solutions

Transformational change

Through setting and communicating a time bound and measurable ambition for these topics we aim to catalyse the transformational change at a high level and achieve the higher standards required from the built environment value chain

Interventions

Further work to identify and undertake the exact interventions and actions required to fulfil our ambition is required and we look forward to working with members and other stakeholders on this.

BNG ENG Project

UKGBC’s current BNG ENG project aims to assist organisations in taking practical action on Biodiversity and Environmental Net Gain

Supporting legislation

We focus on providing resources and information to allow industry professionals to surpass the minimum standards set out in this legislation, convene organisations who wish to develop their BNG and ENG understanding and ensure the BNG/ENG strategies that are being used on sites align with the Government Policy changes to support long-term authentic net positive change.

Biodiversity Net Gain Resources

Definitions

Explore key definitions for Biodiversity and Environmental Net Gain.
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Factsheets

Discover key concepts related to Biodiversity and Environmental Net Gain
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Infographics

Understand the bigger picture and the relationships between different nature policies.
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Short Finance Report

Explore the critical link between finance and biodiversity net gain, and the avenues available for funding projects.
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Stakeholder Map

Explore the different roles stakeholder in the built environment take on when implementing Biodiversity or Environmental Net Gain.
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Checklists

These checklists are convenient crib sheets for anyone wanting to implement Biodiversity Net Gain, to follow and be held accountable by as they look to increase nature on their developments.
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BNG/ENG Case Studies

As part of our ongoing project, UKGBC has collected a number of case studies demonstrating the successful application of BNG and ENG principles across the UK.

Events

Blogs

Resilience & Nature Partners

Our climate change adaptation work is supported by our Resilience & Nature Partners.

Biodiversity and Environmental Net Gain Project Partners

Our work on Biodiversity Net Gain and Environmental Gain is generously supported by the following organisations.

Review Group
Winvic
Sustainable hospitality alliance
The Canary Wharf Group
Northstone
Waterman Group
Atkins
John Lewis
Aecom
Hertfordshire County Council
Sir Robert McAlpine
Redrow Homes Limited
Joe Blooms
The Wildlife Trust
Sabbio
Stephen George and Partners

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Nature

Nature is in crisis.  The built environment has a critical role to play in protecting and restoring nature and moving to a regenerative model of development.
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