The UK Green
Building Council (UKGBC) has published its latest report detailing construction
and property industry trends on nature and biodiversity action in the UK;
leveraging a major event to raise awareness of the importance of natural
capital among industry leaders.
The report,
‘Insights into Nature and Biodiversity: Industry trends, commitments and best
practice examples’ features a snapshot of current ecological metrics; an
overview of the UK policy context; and best practice examples of the
integration of biodiversity into development.
It also features key
learnings from the charity’s Gold Leaf members – a group of high-profile
construction and property businesses committed to being at the leading edge of
sustainability.
Headline findings
include:
- In 2018, 22% of UKGBC’s Gold
Leaf members had a commitment to biodiversity net gain (up from 9% in
2017)
- 44% of UKGBC’s Gold Leaf
members have a nature and biodiversity strategy in place
The report was
launched last night at an event to promote the importance of nature and
biodiversity in urban environments. Renowned urban ecologist Professor Menno
Schilthuizen, author of ‘Darwin Comes to Town’ addressed over 150 built
environment professionals gathered in central London. In his speech, he
explained how urban environments create conditions that accelerate the pace of
evolution and described how urban designers are uniquely placed to help nature
thrive in our cities.
Attendees also heard
from Wildlife Trusts’ CEO, Stephanie Hilborne OBE, who provided an overview of
the state of biodiversity in the UK and discussed current UK policy context.
The event was made
possible thanks to the generous support of sponsors: Heathrow, Atelier Ten,
Arup, Outerspace and Peel Land and Property.
The increased focus
on nature and biodiversity from UKGBC comes as the Government consults on
Environmental Net Gain – a growing topic in the construction and property
industry as the government seeks to legislate for new developments to deliver
environmental net gain. Attendees supported fundraising for UKGBC’s work in
this area as the charity works with its members to develop a response to the
Government consultation and scopes further work to help industry address the
challenge of allowing nature to thrive in urban environments.
Julie Hirigoyen,
Chief Executive at UKGBC said: “The built environment industry has a critical
role in preserving and restoring our natural environment.
“Evidence shows that
nature makes humans feel safe, connected, restored, and happy. It also provides
much needed space for recreation and contemplation, removes pollutants from the
air, filters water from the ground, provides natural cooling and gives us the
food that sustains us. Nature is fundamental to our physical, mental, spiritual
and cultural health, and to the resilience of our built environment.
“We now also know
that increased natural space can increase property and land values by as much
as 25%. Developments with biodiversity strategies have a greater chance of
planning approval from local authorities, enjoy greater inward investment and
faster property sales, and even reduced building energy costs.
“By emphasising both
the societal and business case for helping nature to thrive in urban
environments, UKGBC is encouraging the industry to take bold steps and
accelerate action to deliver greener, healthier places.”
UKGBC is keen to
hear from organisations working on nature and biodiversity initiatives in the
built environment and has produced an interactive actor
and resource map to communicate the net biodiversity gain initiatives that
the charity has identified.
