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
14
Deferred
Undertake thorough review of incentives for allocating private land to nature recovery
Recommendation
We recommend that as part of the forthcoming Land Use Framework the Government undertake a thorough review of its approach to incentivising the allocation of privately held land to nature recovery, in particular in respect of changes of use of …
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Government Response Summary
The government states that responses to the Land Use Consultation and a call for evidence published in June 2025 are informing its approach to incentive design for nature recovery.
16
Deferred
Clarify ‘effective means’ of protection, monitoring, and recourse for 30by30 land
Recommendation
We recommend that in its response to this report the Government clarify— • what it considers to be ‘effective means’ of protection against loss or damage to important biodiversity values for the purposes of designating land in England as ‘protected’ …
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Government Response Summary
The government is developing detailed guidance and an assessment/reporting process for its 30by30 commitments and plans to publish these, along with its action plan, later in 2025.
19
Deferred
Publish urgent plans for investing revenues from BNG credit sales
Recommendation
We are concerned to note that the Government has not yet published full details of its approach to the investment of revenues from the sale of BNG credits. The Government must demonstrate that it is committed to this approach to …
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Government Response Summary
The government states it is legally obligated to spend BNG credit income on habitat projects and is working to design a transparent allocation method, with more details to be announced in due course.
Conclusions (2)
9
Conclusion
Deferred
There is a clear role for Government in encouraging landowners and land managers to engage in the use of land to increase the stock of natural capital assets. One way to do this is through incentivising the allocation of land to natural capital schemes, thereby developing their supply to the …
Government Response Summary
The government states that responses to the Land Use Consultation and a call for evidence published in June 2025 are informing its approach to incentive design for nature recovery.
13
Conclusion
Deferred
To ensure the effective delivery of its commitments to protect 30% of land in England for nature, the Government will need to consider how to make environmental land management more accessible and attractive to landowners and land managers. This will require the removal of any existing barriers to engagement and …
Government Response Summary
The government states that responses to the Land Use Consultation and a call for evidence published in June 2025 are informing its approach to incentive design and engagement for nature recovery.