Matthew Hannon’s Post

Many #companies across Europe are in need to reduce and quantify the impact of their activities in biodiversity. But are the current tools for measuring business impacts on biodiversity sufficiently aligned with the latest global biodiversity targets? Maybe not This new paper reveals significant gaps in the existing tools—most notably in areas such as ecosystem integrity, aquatic biodiversity, and impacts linked to urban spaces. Without robust tools that cover these essential metrics, efforts may fall short, risking not only regulatory alignment but also the sustainability of the natural systems we depend on #Biodiversity #Sustainability #CorporateResponsibility #EnvironmentalImpact #GlobalBiodiversityFramework https://lnkd.in/d-qudz66

A recent framework has been introduced to address the complexities of defining a "unit of nature" within biodiversity credit markets. This framework highlights the challenges of creating a market to fund nature recovery, emphasizing the risks of over-reliance on offsetting. With a $700 billion annual funding gap in conservation, engaging businesses and the financial sector is crucial. The framework outlines two approaches for quantifying biodiversity, yet underscores the difficulties in accurately measuring and aggregating biodiversity metrics. It advises caution in using biodiversity credits as offsets, advocating for direct contributions to nature recovery and strict regulation to ensure genuine biodiversity gains.

Our new blog delves into the intricacies of the Statutory Biodiversity Metric. How it measures and quantifies ecological values and ensures every development project leaves nature better off. From assessing habitat conditions to strategic significance, learn how this tool shapes sustainable development. After all, Biodiversity Net Gain is not just a regulatory requirement; it's a commitment to enriching our ecosystems 👇👇👇 https://lnkd.in/gK8qk9TS #biodiversity #bng

A new post, “Reflections on Biodiversity Net Gain: 9 months after going live” has just been published on the Environment blog. In this post, Rachel Fisher, Deputy Director for the Land Use policy team at Defra, shares her reflections on Biodiversity Net Gain 9 months after the policy went live for major developments. #defra #bng #biodiversitynetgain #environment #rachelfisher #landuse Read the new post:

Empowering Communities, Preserving Biodiversity! NESFAS, in collaboration with the Meghalaya State Biodiversity Board (MBB) and the Nature Conservancy (TNC), is leading the way in documenting Meghalaya's biodiversity. Through the project "Protection of forests in Meghalaya by adopting participatory, gender centric and equitable approaches", 71 BMCs are documenting local biodiversity and indigenous knowledge, ensuring no species is left behind. #BiodiversityConservation #communityengagement #communitypreservation https://lnkd.in/gkDwtcxt

Came across a short #explainer on biodiversity. Thought I would share to highlight other key environmental issues. And it brings attention to #naturebasedsolutions as important tools to address biodiversity loss 🌼 🐤 🐡 🌳 🐛 🦠 https://lnkd.in/ee-w3XbX

Biodiversity is essential for our climate goals and reducing carbon in the atmosphere. And, the market has an important role to play in that work. However, time and time again, government policymakers rely on offsets and “credits” to allow industry, developers and polluters to pay their way to salvation. It reminds me of the indulgences from the Catholic Church in the Middle Ages - but now, we think it’s cutting-edge climate policy. Some of the major problems with carbon offsets or offsets programs in general is a lack of evaluation, analysis and regulation of the offset being purchased. Environmental economists have been asking the hard question for decades: how do we value nature in the market? How do we quantify the value of X acres of land? Some even ask: can or should we? And in these conversations, whats often lost is a focus on equity and environmental/climate justice. Are we designing offsets so that the benefits are distributed to communities who need them most? Are we successfully mitigating harm for communities of color? These are equally pressing questions we have to ask, explore, and find answers to if we continue to lead with offsets and market-based approaches.

Biodiversity Net Gain – A Practical Summary Biodiversity Net Gain (“BNG”) requires developers to show that their proposed development plans not only replace any existing habitats that are lost by the development, but also give at least a 10% gain on what was lost. Read more here ➡️https://lnkd.in/e6KFsx5w #TheEMWway #BiodiversityNetGain

Biodiversity Net Gain requirements on developments. To know more, check out the below article by Adam Willson. 👇🏼 Whilst I think this an excellent initiative for the advancement of sustainable development, it’s possibly going to cause more delays in the planning and decision making process. Only time (often LOTS of it) will tell…

The requirement for Biodiversity Net Gain (“BNG”) became a statutory requirement last month through the coming into force of Schedule 14 of the Environment Act 2021. BNG applies to most types of developments/permissions. It remains to be seen how this will be delivered, as the planning system is already significantly overburdened and there is little confidence in the market that resources will be made available for local planning authorities to effectively monitor and enforce the requirements. Developers and landowners alike need to understand the regulations as developers have requirements to adhere to in order to bring development forward and will be on the hook for BNG obligations up to 30 years post-development and there are also opportunities in a developing market for landowners to benefit from the sale of BNG units. If you are interested to understand how the regulations may impact you we have prepared a practical summary, please see below.