The Environment Act 2021 came into force in the UK on February 12th. The Acts mandates new development projects to achieve a minimum 10% biodiversity net gain (BNG). This approach is part of the UK’s aim to reverse decades of intense biodiversity degradation, which has led its categorisation as one of the most nature-depleted countries in the world.
While the legislation is ambitious and a vital step forward, BNG requires practical modern solutions to become a reality. Complying with the new legislation poses significant challenges, including viability, resourcing, costs, efficacy, accuracy, and credibility. Concerns around the massive undertaking are gaining traction.
A new report released in May of this year by the National Audit Office, identified a range of risks in the long-term effectiveness of BNG. Despite government funding to support local authorities in preparing for BNG implementation, many are still under-resourced and lack the necessary funding for future planning and enforcement efforts.
Without the rapid adoption of technology, implementing BNG will be an uphill battle and one unlikely to be successful.
Technology stands as the vital solution for scaling up BNG efforts and addressing these challenges, paving the way for effective and lasting biodiversity conservation practices.
How technology helps BNG in practice:
Streamlining habitat mapping
Advanced satellite data and AI algorithms can ensure accurate and reliable habitat mapping. This enables developers to assess large areas swiftly and efficiently. It is also possible to generate habitat maps for numerous sites before physical exploration. Generating maps like this saves time and ensures the project is compliant with new regulations at every step.
Detecting invasive plants and assessing vegetation health
Technology allows for highly accurate assessments to detect invasive plants that threaten native species. It also provides insights into the health of trees and other plant populations. Determining these factors is crucial for maintaining habitats and preventing loss.
Enabling ecologists to scale up their operations exponentially to meet demand
With 150,000 BNG projects expected annually, the UK needs 40% more ecologists and 25% more planners to meet demand. Even with a concerted and coordinated effort, there isn’t the adequate human resource to tackle the issues unaided. Technology addresses this shortfall in qualified ecologists, scaling operations exponentially.
Reducing time scales from weeks to days
Traditional on-the-ground methods are time consuming, expensive, and frequently inaccurate and low on detail, with some habitats either too vast or inaccessible for ecologists to survey. By utilising technology, it frees up the ecologists so that they can focus on the high-level tasks, ultimately scaling up the quantity and quality of work they are able to deliver by removing administrative burdens.
Ensuring timely and comprehensive assessments vital for compliance with BNG regulations
Discrepancies in habitat areas or incorrect classification can dramatically change the value of BNG on a site. An incorrect baseline can result in application rejections, leading to delays of months or more, and in extreme cases, can put the entire project at risk. Getting the initial biodiversity is therefore crucial, and technology can deliver a robust and comprehensive plan that aligns with the new framework.
BNG is critical for the UK environment. But as it stands, while well-intentioned, BNG mandates are in jeopardy as a result of inadequate volume and quality of data.
It is critical that developers shift away from outdated approaches to BNG, which are also estimated to be costing them £300,000/ day more than digital solutions, and adopt approaches that combine the best of advances in AI and satellite technology, and the insights of the skilled ecologists we do have.
To successfully implement BNG in the UK, it will take a collaborative approach.
