Source · Select Committees · Environmental Audit Committee
1st Report – The role of natural capital in the UK's green economy
Environmental Audit Committee
HC 501
Published 7 May 2025
Recommendations
22
Accepted in Part
Consult on measures to increase BNG compliance or mandate corporate disclosure of nature-damaging activities.
Recommendation
We recommend that the Government consult on measures to increase compliance as a market driver, potentially through expanding BNG requirements or mandating corporate disclosure of nature-damaging activities. (Recommendation, Paragraph 123)
Government Response Summary
The government has launched consultations on mandatory BNG for Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects (NSIPs) and streamlining BNG for smaller developers, which aligns with expanding requirements and driving consistency. They also launched a call for evidence on increasing private investment in nature to support future policy development.
23
Accepted in Part
Commit to reviewing the effectiveness of on-site BNG delivery by February 2027.
Recommendation
The Government should also ensure that on-site gains have sufficient transparency and scrutiny of delivery—through sufficient funding of local authorities to deliver checks, and provision to local authorities of the capacity to undertake enforcement action—with a commitment to reforming the …
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Government Response Summary
The government agrees with the principle of reviewing on-site BNG effectiveness but does not commit to the specific proposed timeline. They have allocated an additional £10m this financial year (on top of £35m previously) to assist local planning authorities with BNG implementation and note existing duties for LAs to publish biodiversity reports including on-site gains.