The Natural Capital Committee (NCC) worked with H.M. Treasury from 2016-18 to advise and co-author Green Book guidance regarding the incorporation of natural capital, ecosystem services and the value of associated goods and services into government policy appraisal. The guidance was incorporated into the revised Green Book published in March 2018 and has now been revisited to see how existing guidance and processes support these aims in relation to public policy appraisal/evaluation and where changes are needed to better embed natural capital in government decision-making.

Overall, the NCC found limited evidence of natural capital being considered in policy appraisal. They advise that this should be urgently addressed given the government’s wide-ranging environmental objectives, including the commitment to avoid further degradation of our natural assets. The Committee’s main recommendation include amending evaluation criteria for passing a policy impact assessment to include a robust assessment of the impact on natural capital, urgently investing in developing a baseline census of natural assets, and that impact assessments should report on how policies are contributing toward Environment Bill targets. Click here to read more