Source · Select Committees · Environmental Audit Committee
Recommendation 31
31
Not Addressed
Early introduction of new BNG exemptions risks unintended consequences and undermines policy assessment.
Conclusion
Introducing new exemptions to BNG when the policy remains in the early stages of implementation may have unintended consequences, particularly if applied too broadly. We believe more time is needed to assess the effectiveness of BNG before substantive changes are made. (Conclusion, Paragraph 115)
Government Response Summary
The government's response details its exploration of financial mechanisms for low embodied carbon products and an Advance Market Commitment pilot for low carbon concrete, which does not address the committee's concern about introducing new Biodiversity Net Gain exemptions.
Government Response
Not Addressed
HM Government
Not Addressed
91. The Government is already exploring innovative financial mechanisms to accelerate adoption of lower embodied carbon products. For example, we are co-sponsoring an Advance Market Commitment (AMC) to pilot for low carbon concrete, delivered by Innovate UK and Carbon Limiting Technologies. 92. This pilot, running since 2023, creates a guaranteed future market by securing public commitments from developers to purchase specified quantities of low carbon concrete, provided it meets technical standards and price ceilings. 93. By aggregating these commitments into a significant demand signal, the AMC programme aims to give suppliers and investors confidence to develop and scale up new technologies. Insights from this pilot will inform consideration of further incentives as part of future consultations. 94. This work on AMCs complements the Government’s ongoing work on the policy framework to grow the market for low carbon industrial products and in particular product-level green procurement, described in the response to recommendation 30.