Money is flowing into a growing Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) sector in Britain.
An new BNG Industry Report offers the clearest picture yet of how the market has matured since BNG became mandatory for most developments just over 15 months ago.
Drawing on data from 33 Habitat Bank operators – including major organisations such as Environment Bank, Nattergal, Green Earth Group and The Wildlife Trusts – the report paints a picture of a sector that is rapidly scaling, economically viable and environmentally impactful.
These efforts are restoring more than 21,000 acres of land across over 200 Habitat Banks now operating or in development across England.
In total, more than 91,000 BNG units are expected to be generated by 2035, with a current estimated annual demand of up to 8,000 units – signalling a healthy, functioning market.
The report finds that £325 million in private finance has already flowed into nature recovery efforts from the surveyed operators alone.
The sector has also created more than 450 full-time jobs and employs around 800 contractors, showing how biodiversity can drive economic activity.
Operators reported strong confidence in both the financial and environmental value of BNG, scoring 7.5 out of 10 for financial viability and 8.6 for environmental impact. Seventy percent also said BNG presents a meaningful opportunity for farmers to diversify income.
Despite the clear growth, the report flags a need for greater public understanding. General awareness of BNG was rated just 3.1 out of 10, suggesting more communication and education is needed to match policy momentum.
Ian Hambleton, Founder of Biodiversity Units UK, said: “This first industry report reveals the genuine scale and ambition behind England’s BNG market. With over £320 million in private investment and strong environmental confidence from operators, we’re seeing a market that’s no longer in its infancy. This is nature recovery at scale – backed by capital and delivering outcomes.”
Biodiversity Net Gain market blooms into £3bn industry appeared first on Energy Live News.