From Water Power and Dam Construction UK scientists have conducted an unprecedented rapid assessment of the environmental aftermath of the breach of the Kakhovka Dam, aiming to aid in the recovery of a critical biodiversity hotspot. Following the breach of the dam located in southern Ukraine, amid a warzone, the UK Centre for Ecology & […]
A new report from the EU Business and Biodiversity Platform explores in the built environment sector. The built environment contributes to biodiversity loss, particularly through changes in land use, disturbance of water cycle, unsustainable sourcing of a wide array of building materials, pollution, and contributions to climate change. Recognizing these impacts, leading companies and financiers […]
Defra has announced that biodiversity net gain will go live on 12 February 2024. From this date major development (unless otherwise exempt) will have to deliver net gains for biodiversity leading to positive outcomes for nature, better places for local communities and more consistent and transparent requirements for developers. Which types of development will BNG apply […]
’30by30′ is a commitment in the Global Biodiversity Framework agreed at the COP15 biodiversity summit last December, whereby “30% of areas of degraded terrestrial, inland water, and marine and coastal ecosystems are under effective restoration.” Defra has outlined its approach to how the target on land in England will be met. This includes a set […]
Defra has published a suite of guidance to support the (delayed) introduction of biodiversity net gain (BNG) becoming mandatory. They include: The statutory biodiversity metric tool and user guide The tool allows the calculation of biodiversity value for the purpose of BNG for major developments. The user guide has the information needed to use the statutory biodiversity […]
Defra has published draft versions of the biodiversity gain plan template and guidance documents for developers and for local planning authorities. These will aid preparation for the commencement of BNG, which is now due to start from January 2024.
From Make Water Famous A study in England has found that freshwater macro-invertebrate richness has increased over the past 30 years, indicating a positive trend in biodiversity. Aquatic macro-invertebrates are insects in their nymph and larval stages, that spend at least part of their lives in water. They play a large role in freshwater ecosystems […]
The Westminster government has announced that the introduction of mandatory biodiversity net gain (BNG) in England has been delayed from November until January for larger sites developed through the town and country planning system, and April 2024 for small sites. BNG will not be mandatory for national infrastructure projects until 2025. The delay has not […]