How England got to mandatory biodiversity net gain: A timeline.

Area of Science:

• Environmental Policy
• Conservation Science
• Urban Planning

Background:

• Biodiversity net gain (BNG) is a planning policy requiring developments to improve biodiversity.
• Understanding the history of mandatory BNG is key to identifying drivers and barriers for future policy development.
• The Environment Act (2021) introduced mandatory BNG in England, effective February 2024, impacting terrestrial and intertidal developments.

Purpose of the Study:

• To present a historical timeline of the stages leading to mandatory Biodiversity Net Gain in England.
• To highlight formative events and documents in the development of BNG policy.
• To provide foundational knowledge for understanding BNG's history and informing future biodiversity policies.

Main Methods:

• A literature review was conducted to gather existing information on BNG policy development.
• Interviews and knowledge from individuals involved in the early stages of BNG policy development in England were incorporated.
• A timeline was constructed based on the reviewed literature and expert knowledge.

Main Results:

• The study outlines the key stages, events, and documents that shaped mandatory BNG legislation in England.
• It identifies the policy's origins, including parliamentary discussions and the Environment Act (2021).
• BNG is recognized as a significant, wide-reaching policy with expected impacts on future land use decisions.

Conclusions:

• Tracing the history of mandatory BNG is essential for comprehending its current drivers and barriers.
• This historical understanding is crucial for the effective development and implementation of future biodiversity policies.
• The paper serves as a foundational step in analyzing the long-term implications of BNG on land use and biodiversity in England.