Reevaluating England's Biodiversity Net Gain: The Need for Targeted Offsetting

The **Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG)** policy in England mandates a 10% increase in biodiversity for new developments, sparking a debate on its effectiveness. A study in *One Earth* critiques the policy's focus on localised offsetting, which is the practice encouraged by the current National Planning Policy Framework. Researchers from the University of Exeter's LEEP Institute argue that this approach inadequately enhances biodiversity because it assumes a homogenous natural environment. The study used models considering wildlife density, recreational human benefits, and offsetting costs, exploring five scenarios against the status quo of localised offsetting. Results showed that targeting offsets to areas where biodiversity would benefit the most yields double the conservation gains compared to current practices. Criticism centers on the policy's failure to integrate ecological and economic information, suggesting that incorporating these factors could simultaneously advance wildlife conservation and support disadvantaged communities. The researchers propose adjusting the policy to recognise environmental and socio-economic variations, thereby enhancing biodiversity and addressing inequalities. Professor Ian Bateman and Dr. Mattia Mancini emphasized the potential for BNG's success if it is applied where biodiversity and community benefits are maximized. They advocate for a shift away from prime farmland towards areas needing biodiversity support, thus reshaping the offsetting landscape.