What is Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG)?
Under new post-Brexit legislation, any new building developments in England must increase the biodiversity of the site by 10%.
So for example, if a new housing estate has a pond in the proposed area, the developers must consult an ecologist and improve the biodiversity by adding vegetation or trees that complement the pond.
What are Biodiversity Net Gain credits?
If a developer’s plans can’t viably incorporate the existing habitats on the site, and the biodiversity increase is less than 10% overall, then they are required to make up the difference by purchasing BNG credits, a form of offsetting.
Who sells BNG credits?
A broad range of landowners are able to sell credits, including private owners & farmers. They must sign a legal agreement with a local authority, setting out how they will create, enhance, maintain and monitor the biodiversity of the land for a minimum of 30 years.
What is the difference between BNG credits & carbon offsetting?
Many companies use carbon credits to only offset absolutely unavoidable emissions, alongside wider measures to minimise their carbon footprint. Unfortunately the system is open to widespread greenwashing where some companies write a cheque instead of tackling the problem at its source.
With BNG, the government tells local planners that a set number of houses must be built in their area – and that local biodiversity must be in a better state as a result. Developers are legally obliged to avoid and minimise biodiversity loss, and have to pay a penalty if they prove this cannot be achieved.
Some challenges around carbon credits have arisen because it is an international scheme which is loosely regulated. There is little accountability around the quality of the environmental projects taking place and how they are managed longer term.
BNG will be far more regulated (credits are managed by the UK Government) and being limited to England (for now), they are easier to monitor.
There are more specific features too, like the fact it will be much cheaper to buy credits from local projects, rather than in other parts of England, which promotes habitat regeneration in the area. Sellers of BNG credits are similarly incentivised to make sure enhanced biodiversity is focused in the most impactful projects for nature’s recovery.
What are the problems with BNG?
The government made a lot of positive changes to BNG following consultations. However there are a number of concerns that remain.
The regulation of the scheme means developers are required to set out their plans and process for monitoring in a legal agreement and be subject to planning regulations. On-site gains must last for at least 30 years. However it may be down to local planning authorities to enforce this over time, while most LPAs are overstretched. One good solution is conservation charities stepping in, who exist to conserve habitats.
What’s Avon Needs Trees’ involvement with BNG?
ANT recently purchased 422 acre Wick Farm in the Lower Chew Valley. In order to pay off a large loan that was taken out with Triodos Bank, ANT will become one of the early suppliers of BNG credits in the region.
Lower Chew Forest would not be possible without the BNG framework. BNG is enabling the largest new woodland creation project in the South West in a generation.
Will Avon Needs Trees vet the developers it works with?
Absolutely. Any company looking to purchase BNG credits from us would undergo a rigorous vetting process that will look at their business practices to ensure they align with our ethical standards.
I’ve read about large areas of dense conifer forest being planted that lack biodiversity or fall down. Is that what you’re talking about?
Not at all. Our model is about creating biodiverse woodland, using broadleaf native trees that are maintained for the long term. This might include areas like wetland or even grassland but with an eye to maximising biodiversity overall. But at the end of the day, trees are still our main focus.
Does BNG facilitate more rural developments?
Not really. In most cases BNG makes it less profitable for developers in the countryside, either meaning they have to build fewer houses or face a penalty. It should also be noted that scrub-rich brownfield sites in urban areas can be as biodiverse as rural fields.
In reality local Councils decide where the overwhelming majority of development takes place so BNG has little impact on choice of locations.
I’ve heard Avon Needs Trees might be working with an airport. Is that true?
Absolutely not. We have no relationship with any airports of any kind. We have very strict practices on donations, sales and corporate partnerships which automatically rules out anything to do with airports, aeroplane manufacturers, the oil industry, arms traders, etc, along with anyone from any industry we feel are trying to use our charity to enable greenwashing.
You can read more about what type of business we accept donations from on our website.
