Biodiversity Net Gain Masterclass (London)

Alongside the climate crisis, we face an ecological crisis in which biodiversity in the UK is under severe and urgent threat. With 50% of the UK’s economy linked to nature and the UK one of the most biodiversity depleted countries in the world, restoring our natural environments is critical to building our future green economy.

This masterclass will help you understand and begin to implement the new Biodiversity Net Gain requirements set out in the Government’s Environment Act.

There are huge opportunities for the built environment to restore nature and build more regenerative towns and cities – this masterclass will support you to do that.

About the course (specific details)

This half-day masterclass will deep dive into Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) in the built environment. Focusing on the legislation and policy context in England, this course will help delegates understand the drivers behind BNG and how to achieve and surpass the mandated minimum 10% biodiversity uplift in new project.

The course will cover the need for biodiversity recovery in general across England, contextualised against the climate and biodiversity crises. We’ll look at the principles and basics of BNG - what is BNG? Why does it matter? How is it measured?

We’ll move on to explore the regulatory drivers for BNG with a focus on translating the Environment Act, 2021 and covering how a number of major local authorities apply the National Planning Policy

Framework (NPPF) and their own policies on BNG. Finally, we’ll cover the process of BNG from start to finish, picking up the practical steps needed within planning and construction, including how to design for BNG through green infrastructure design.

The course will be interactive and discursive, giving you a chance to discuss BNG issues with colleagues from across the UKGBC membership, and our subject-matter expert.

The course will

• Explain the importance of biodiversity and threats posed to nature from the built environment.

• Help you develop an understanding of how the biodiversity and climate crises intersect

• Walk through exactly what biodiversity net gain is, explaining the policy and legislative drivers relating to BNG

• Introduce methods for calculating BNG on development projects

• Highlight key considerations for developers relating to BNG within the design and delivery of new development

• Help you understand the concepts of green infrastructure (GI), nature-based solutions (NBS) and how these can be used to achieve Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG)

• Share case study references to show how BNG can be delivered effectively.

Who’s it for?

This masterclass is for developers, planners, architects, landscape architects, and

any other planning/environmental professionals who need to know more about BNG within

planning in England.

Why join the course?

1. Learn more about the important of nature and biodiversity to people and communities

1. Understand BNG legislation and the process - what is it? Why does it matter? How is it measured?

1. Meet and network others across industry working on BNG

Other dates for this course

17 March, 09:30 – 13:00, Virtual

Course hosts

Faye Durkin, Head of Nature, Greengage (BSc (Hons) Environmental Science, MSc Environmental Management and Sustainable Development, Co-chair IEMA Biodiversity and Natural Capital Steering Group)

Faye leads Greengage’s nature team, providing ecological and green infrastructure design input into projects enabling biodiversity net gains and complementing wider climate change adaptation measures. She has been a professional ecologist since 2008 and has held bat and great crested newt mitigation licences. She has a wealth of experience ranging from residential developments to large commercial sites and strategic biodiversity net gain projects for the Environment Agency and Natural England.

Greengage is an independent sustainability consultancy with offices in London, Manchester, Sheffield, and Bristol. Established for over 17 years, we’re an award-winning team of consultants with expertise across the full spectrum of sustainability including energy and carbon management, ESG, sustainable finance, social sustainability, biodiversity and green infrastructure/urban greening.

UKGBC cancellation and refund policy

Please see our website for more details on our cancellations and refunds: https://ukgbc.org/ukgbc-cancellation-and-refund-policy/

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