Environmental Net GainEnvironmental Net GainEnvironmental Net GainEnvironmental Net Gain

Catherine AndersonAECOM UK&I Technical Director for Low Carbon Energy

BackgroundBackgroundBackgroundBackground“The first generation to leave the natural environment of England in a better state than that in which we found it - a cleaner greener country for us all”----UK GovernmentUK GovernmentUK GovernmentUK Government

Committed to “piloting biodiversity offsets, to make requirements to reduce the impacts of development on biodiversity simpler and more consistent”We will put natural capital at the heart of government accounting. We will work with the Office for National Statistics to fully include natural capital in the UK Environmental Accounts, with early changes by 2013. In 2012 we will publish a roadmap for further improvements up to 2020.New Environment Act due by the end of the year

Environmental Net Gain Environmental Net Gain Environmental Net Gain Environmental Net Gain ---- PrinciplesPrinciplesPrinciplesPrinciples– The government wants to embed a ‘net

environmental gain’ principle for development to deliver environmental improvements locally and nationally”

– 25 Year Environment Plan builds on the Industrial Strategy and Clean Growth Strategy, to transform productivity across the country and drive green innovation.

– For a net environmental gain to arise then the environmental benefits have to outweigh the environmental costs.

– Commitment to “Embedding an ‘environmental net gain’ principle for development, including housing and infrastructure”

Environmental Net Gain vs Biodiversity Net GainEnvironmental Net Gain vs Biodiversity Net GainEnvironmental Net Gain vs Biodiversity Net GainEnvironmental Net Gain vs Biodiversity Net Gain–Environmental Net Gain

• Social, economic, amenity, value, natural capital and biodiversity

–Biodiversity• Habitats, species diversity, quality, connectivity

–Lawton Report on condition of the UK ecological network: • Loss of habitats in infrastructure projects• Enhancement by other means fragments habitats,

loss of connectivity

–Apply the mitigation hierarchy

–Use the DEFRA Metric

–Link to other environmental topics

–Achieve the best outcomes

possible – do not go for the PR

success story

–Optimise sustainability

–Be transparent

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Biodiversity Net Gain PrinciplesBiodiversity Net Gain PrinciplesBiodiversity Net Gain PrinciplesBiodiversity Net Gain Principles

Applying the Mitigation HierarchyApplying the Mitigation HierarchyApplying the Mitigation HierarchyApplying the Mitigation Hierarchy

This principle could also be applied to This principle could also be applied to This principle could also be applied to This principle could also be applied to Environmental Impacts.Environmental Impacts.Environmental Impacts.Environmental Impacts.

–Apply the mitigation hierarchy

–Use the Natural England eco-

metric or DEFRA Metric

–Link to other environmental topics

–Achieve the best outcomes

possible – do not go for the PR

success story

–Optimise sustainability

–Be transparent 7

Biodiversity Net Gain PrinciplesBiodiversity Net Gain PrinciplesBiodiversity Net Gain PrinciplesBiodiversity Net Gain Principles

– Baseline environment

• Commercial forestry

• Presence of a multitude of protected

species in a valued recreation

• Scheduled archaeological features

• Landscape designations

• Recreational area

• Ancient woodland

–Proposed ENG

• New mixed native planting

• New upgraded recreational paths

• Landscape and visual aesthetic

from surrounding views

• Biodiversity enhancement

• Protection of ancient woodland

Example Example Example Example –––– Red John Pumped Storage SchemeRed John Pumped Storage SchemeRed John Pumped Storage SchemeRed John Pumped Storage Scheme

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–Lots of guidance and consultations coming out

–Currently England only projects apply but this will change

–Apply mitigation hierarchy

• When identifying minor environmental effects in EIAs, don’t right them off

especially cumulative

– Integrate into development proposals

–Not rocket science, quick wins available but it has to be justifiable and

measurable

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SummarySummarySummarySummary

Any questions:

catherine.anderson@aecom.com

Download our guide:

"Delivering Net Gain for Biodiversity and the Environment"

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