Biodiversity Net Gain – Sorely needed investment for nature policy set to kick in
The 12 February 2024 marks the formal launch of the much-awaited policy Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG), where a net 10% improvement in biodiversity becomes mandatory for major developers (residential developments with 10 or more dwellings), whether on-site, or by “purchasing” biodiversity credits from “off-site” providers. BNG will apply to small sites (9 dwellings or less) in April 2024, and for nationally significant infrastructure projects in 2025. It is hoped this policy will provide much-needed funding for land owners and managers to support improvements to the natural environment and ecological resilience.