Natural England produces standard biodiversity metric

Natural England has launched an industry standard biodiversity metric, as the Government legislates for mandatory biodiversity net gain through the Environment Bill.

The Environment Bill states that biodiversity net gain must be measured using a recognised biodiversity metric. Natural England has launched Biodiversity Metric 3.0, a way of measuring and accounting for nature losses and gains resulting from development or changes in land management. Biodiversity Metric 3.0 will become the industry standard biodiversity metric for all on-land and intertidal development types in England.

Environment minister Rebecca Pow commented: “With biodiversity declining at an unprecedented rate, we must act to halt and reverse losses. We have committed to implement an approach to development that will leave the natural environment in a measurably better state than beforehand. To do this, we will be legislating for mandatory biodiversity net gain through the Environment Bill.

“We are delighted to introduce the updated Biodiversity Metric 3.0, which will underpin the future requirement for mandatory biodiversity net gain and help facilitate investment in nature’s recovery through clean and green growth that brings nature to people’s doorstep.”

Natural England also launched two further tools: the Small Sites Metric, a beta version designed to simplify the process of calculating biodiversity net gain on smaller development sites; and the Environmental Benefits from Nature Tool (EBNT) which will give developers a way of exploring the benefits habitats bring to people, such as improvements to water quality, flood management services and carbon storage.

A government consultation on biodiversity net gain secondary legislation and regulations is due to launch later this year.