Lawmakers in the UK are confident they are succeeding in “reversing the decline in nature” by introducing a comprehensive biodiversity reconstruction policy.
The Under-Secretary of State for Nature, Rebecca Pow, claimed the project called Biodiversity Net Gain was the first of its kind in the world.
The bylaw means that construction companies operating in England now have to ensure a 10 per cent gain of biodiversity for every residential, commercial or industrial building project.
Pow said: “This vital tool builds on our work to reverse the decline in nature and for everyone to live within a 15-minute walk of a green space or water and will transform how development and nature can work together to benefit communities.”
The Conservative MP claimed the policy would “help deliver the government’s commitment to halt species decline by 2030.”
Around GBP 10.6 million (EUR 9 million) of funding would be provided to local authorities to strengthen their ecological expertise by recruiting experts but also to invest in so-called green jobs.
Pow said: “Many housing developers are already successfully operating Biodiversity Net Gain and recognising the benefits for people and nature.”
The MP said she was convinced that the decision to make the regulation mandatory would “help us deliver the beautiful homes the country needs, support wildlife and create great places for people to live.”
Pow argued the Conservative government was “going further and faster for nature.”
Alan Lovell heads the state-funded Environment Agency. He said: “I am delighted that Biodiversity Net Gain will restore vital habitats, accelerate species recovery, and connect people with nature in their daily lives.”
The United Kingdom is among the 20 countries with the highest greenhouse gas emission volumes in the world.
With 277 residents per square kilometre, the UK is the seventh-most densely populated country in Europe.
The country, where a general election will be held later this year, takes 25th place in a global comparison of per-capita energy consumption.
