It’s the second in the Council’s series designed to help built environment practitioners understand and implement BNG, and these latest infographics follow previously published factsheets and definitions explaining the key concepts of BNG, new rules around which will come into effect for England in November 2023 for developments in the Town and Country Planning Act 1990, unless exempt.

The infographics examine the intrinsic value of nature while demonstrating the impact of the built environment on the UK’s biodiversity. And by mapping the links between biodiversity and other socio-economic priorities, they tell a broader story about how nature should be seen as a foundational element of the economy and society. The infographics also outline the differences between BNG, which focuses mainly on habitats, and other concepts such as environmental net gain (ENG), which looks at systems and outcomes, and environmental impact assessments (EIAs).

The infographics are aimed at built environment practitioners designing, building or developing projects who want to skill up ahead of the upcoming BNG legislation; and built environment and policy professionals who are looking to understand the overlap between BNG, ENG and EIAs from a policy perspective.

According to the UKGBC, understanding these concepts and their relative importance for different areas of design and construction in the built environment will support businesses and other organisations to implement solutions that enrich the natural world in early design and strategy stages. It’s also hoped that it encourages organisations to go above and beyond the statutory duties when they come into force later this year.

Kerri McCarton, project co-ordinator for resilience and nature at UKGBC, said: “Our infographics are designed to remind people that while 10-per-cent biodiversity net gain is an important legal requirement from November, we should view this as the minimum contribution in one of the most nature-depleted countries in the world.

“There are so many ways that businesses can adopt and thrive by implementing BNG but also push beyond it – with creative investments that unlock new potential for themselves, their communities, and society as a whole.”

Download the infographics at https://ukgbc.org/resources/biodiversity-net-gain-infographics/