Driving Biodiversity Gains: Lessons Emerging Approaches
A study, published in April this year, by the journal Science entitled The positive impact of conservation action found that ‘in two-thirds of cases, conservation either improved the state of biodiversity or at least slowed the decline’. Furthermore, efforts targeted at habitat loss reduction and restoration and sustainable management among others are highly effective but do require transformational scaling. Kudos, to the UK, then on the introduction of regulation on Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) for new developments.
In a nutshell, the aim of the regulation is to ensure that biodiversity is left in a better state than it was before the development began. As part of the approach developers will now need to work with local government, wildlife groups, landowners and other stakeholders to achieve that goal. The net gain achieved can be measured across habitat type, condition, location, connectivity and size, comparing pre and post development. The gain should be achieved onsite preferably but if it’s not possible, offsite is also allowed. The regulation took effect from February this year.
So how has it been received? On a whole it has been seen as a positive move, welcomed by environmental groups, conservationists and others, such as the UK Green Buildings Council. There have been some qualms about how it will work in practice but generally speaking it’s been hailed as a significant step towards more sustainable development of infrastructure. Developers and local authorities have expressed concern about the administrative burden. And there is a question over how net gains can be monitored and maintained over the long term. It is evident there will be a period of adjustment and capacity will need to be ramped up to ensure its success. Despite this, the measure presents significant opportunities. It will stimulate the flow of private finance into conservation efforts which is much needed given the dire state of biodiversity and nature. It also has potential for wider environmental and social benefits if done correctly. Needless to say, addressing the challenges through collaboration, education and supportive policies will maximise the benefits of BNG. DEFRA have liked it to a baby elephant that needs a herd to nurture it to adulthood1.
Could Ireland follow suit?
Well, it already is! While no national policy or framework has been formulated as yet a number of county council are leading the way. These include Sligo, Dún Laoghaire – Rathdown and Dublin City which have all included some aspect or reference to Biodiversity Net Gain in their development or biodiversity plans. For example, Dún Laoghaire – Rathdown has taken an action in its biodiversity action plan to develop BNG guidance2. And this is only set to increase. Ireland’s 4th National Biodiversity Action Plan 2023–2030 includes a target that ‘All Public Authorities and private sector bodies move towards no net loss (admittedly, not as strong as net gain) of biodiversity through strategies, planning, mitigation measures, appropriate offsetting and/or investment in Blue-Green infrastructure’. Semi-state bodies and businesses are also already using language around biodiversity net gain in their strategies and plans. Uisce Éireann talks about seeking opportunities for biodiversity net gain in their Biodiversity Action Plan and SSE Renewables are targeting BNG by 2025 on newly constructed large onshore projects.
CIEEM Ireland, the Chartered Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management has published a Briefing Paper in which it outlines their recommendations for what a national approach should look like. The approach which they are advocating for is slightly different to that of the UK, which is a quantitative approach, in favour of a more qualitative one and they are using the term Biodiversity Enhancement instead of net gain. But the end result should really be the same. They are strongly in favour of an ecologist being involved at the very start of the design process of built environment projects, along with other stakeholders. And they say that the mitigation hierarchy should be applied, avoiding biodiversity loss as the highest priority, followed by minimising loss and restoring and regenerating as a final solution. They point out that retained habitats are of higher ecological value than newly created habitats. It is worth noting that the adoption of No Net Loss and BNG goals complement the intentions of the 4th National Biodiversity Action Plan already mentioned and also of the recently approved EU Nature Restoration Law but based on the briefing paper from CIEEM and interactions with member companies, additional clarity and guidance would be welcomed.
This is a topic which we know our members in the construction sector are watching closely. But the relevance should not stop there. Each of us impacts habitats through our activities and through what we consume. There is an opportunity here for everyone to follow and taken action on enhancing biodiversity. Anywhere where habitats can be retained and enhanced should be embraced.
Éadaoin Boyle Tobin
