How can BNG help your business be a force for good

How Can BNG help your business be a force for good?

How a business responds to losing a competitive advantage tells you a lot about its strategic capabilities. As a consequence of the new biodiversity net gain (BNG) planning requirement, many progressive building developers find themselves facing this precise scenario.

No matter where you stand on ecological issues, the planning requirement represents a challenge. All developers, including small sites (SSM) must now absorb the costs of planning and delivering habitat restoration that supports a 10% uplift in biodiversity. BNG has seemingly levelled the field between developers committed to addressing the ecological impact of their work and those who must begrudgingly meet the new planning requirement.

But with this challenge comes opportunity. Can all developers now claim to be doing their bit for nature? Yes. Will many developers treat BNG as a box ticking exercise? Also yes. So if you’re a developer committed to using your business for good, you can differentiate by investing in BNG that delivers higher long-term value over the 30-year time horizon. You can win by thinking in decades, not just days.

Compared with standard BNG options, dedicated habitat restoration hubs will likely offer higher quality BNG across a wider range of habitats and on a larger scale – potentially supplying multiple projects from one place. By carefully selecting the right offsite provider, you can deliver additional benefits to your business in three key ways:

1. DELIVERING COMMUNITY BENEFITS THROUGH AMBITIOUS OFFSITE BNG HUBS

Offsite BNG in the form of large-scale, well-connected habitat restoration projects – such as our Watercress Farm site – has the power to connect local volunteers, schools, and the wider community to nature:

• Schools can incorporate field trips and outdoor learnings activities into their curriculum. This helps students foster a deeper connection to nature.

• Involving local volunteers in activities such as planting native species, maintaining habitats, and monitoring wildlife generates a sense of ownership and pride within the community.

• Access to green spaces and nature has been linked to improve mental and physical well-being. The creation of nature recovery landscapes provides opportunities for residents to engage in recreational activities such as hiking, birdwatching, and nature photography. These activities promote stress reduction, relaxation, and physical exercise, contributing to overall community health and well-being.

2. DElivering wider environmental benefits through offsite Bng

Investing in high quality offsite BNG offered by habitat restoration experts (such as our team at Belmont) enhances carbon sequestration by restoring woodlands, wetlands, and grasslands. These projects also improve air quality by planting trees and creating green spaces. These act as natural filters, absorbing pollutants and releasing oxygen.

Well-designed habitat creation and restoration also contributes to water quality improvement through well-functioning wetland and riparian buffer zones. This safeguards freshwater ecosystems and benefits both human communities and wildlife.

By promoting ecosystem resilience and ensuring the provision of essential services such as pollination and water regulation, offsite BNG projects play a crucial role in building climate resilience and sustaining healthy environments for future generations.

3. DELIVERING BRAND BENEFITS BY INVESTING in the right bng

By choosing a provider that adds the social and environmental value through its BNG delivery, developers can distinguish themselves as considerate stewards of their communities and the land.

A strong commitment to biodiversity conservation and ecosystem restoration not only aligns with growing consumer preferences for eco-conscious businesses but also attracts stakeholders such as investors, tenants, and local communities who value sustainability.

Integrating high-quality offsite BNG into development projects also allows developers to differentiate their business from competitors, positioning themselves as industry innovators and setting higher standards for environmental responsibility.

USING YOUR BUSINESS As a force for good

While many developers opt to meet the basis BNG requirements, use your business as a force for good by going beyond compliance and demonstrating commitment to environmental stewardship and sustainability.

By prioritising biodiversity conservation and ecosystem restoration, you can positively impact local communities, mitigate climate change, and preserve natural resources for future generations. Along the way, you will enhance your reputation and build trust and credibility among stakeholders while contributing to genuinely positive social and ecological impact.

By supporting our projects, you contribute not just to compliance but to a vision of a greener, healthier future.