Policy Threads

2026

3 events

15 Apr 2026 | Consultation (open) Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs linked

Biodiversity net gain: considering a targeted exemption for brownfield residential development — consultation opened

We’re seeking views on a potential exemption from biodiversity net gain (BNG) for certain residential developments on brownfield land.

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK

15 Apr 2026 | Consultation outcome Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs linked

Biodiversity net gain for nationally significant infrastructure projects — outcome published

We are seeking views on the implementation of biodiversity net gain (BNG) for nationally significant infrastructure projects (NSIPs).

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK · ↓ Summary of responses and government response

+1 more

↓ Impact assessment (47pp)

15 Apr 2026 | Consultation outcome Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs linked

Improving the implementation of biodiversity net gain for minor, medium and brownfield development — outcome published

We are seeking views on improving the implementation of biodiversity net gain (BNG) for minor, medium and brownfield development.

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK · ↓ Government response and summary of responses

+1 more

↓ Biodiversity net gain (BNG) area-based exemption evidence a… (11pp)

2025

11 events

18 Dec 2025 | Policy paper Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government Natural England linked

Nature Restoration Fund: Implementation plan

How the government plans to implement the Nature Restoration Fund.

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK · ↓ Implementing the Nature Restoration Fund

18 Dec 2025 | Policy paper Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government Natural England linked

Nature Restoration Fund: Implementation plan

How the government plans to implement the Nature Restoration Fund.

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK · ↓ Implementing the Nature Restoration Fund

17 Sep 2025 | Policy paper Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs linked

Defra’s statement on the strengthened biodiversity duty

In response to: Defra’s biodiversity duty statement 2025

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK

17 Sep 2025 | Policy paper Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs linked

Defra’s biodiversity duty statement 2025

How Defra has met its biodiversity duties in England, Scotland and Wales.

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK · ↓ Defra’s statement on the strengthened biodivers…

17 Sep 2025 | Policy paper Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs linked

Defra’s biodiversity duty statement 2025

How Defra has met its biodiversity duties in England, Scotland and Wales.

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK · ↓ Defra’s statement on the strengthened biodivers…

24 Jul 2025 | Consultation outcome Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs linked

Biodiversity net gain for nationally significant infrastructure projects — consultation closed

We are seeking views on the implementation of biodiversity net gain (BNG) for nationally significant infrastructure projects (NSIPs).

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK · ↓ Summary of responses and government response

+1 more

↓ Impact assessment (47pp)

24 Jul 2025 | Consultation outcome Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs linked

Improving the implementation of biodiversity net gain for minor, medium and brownfield development — consultation closed

We are seeking views on improving the implementation of biodiversity net gain (BNG) for minor, medium and brownfield development.

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK · ↓ Government response and summary of responses

+1 more

↓ Biodiversity net gain (BNG) area-based exemption evidence a… (11pp)

17 Jul 2025 | Policy paper Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs linked

Biodiversity net gain statutory credits: annual report 2024 to 2025

The first annual report on income generated from statutory credits since the biodiversity net gain policy was established in 2024.

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK · ↓ Biodiversity net gain statutory credits: annual…

14 Jul 2025 | Policy paper Department for Energy Security and Net Zero Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs linked

Actions to jointly address climate change and biodiversity loss in England

A report highlighting how the UK Government is delivering its key commitments on climate and nature in an integrated way.

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK · ↓ Unlocking benefits for people, nature and clima… (34pp)

+1 more

↓ Unlocking benefits for people, nature and climate: Actions …

28 May 2025 | Consultation outcome Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs linked

Biodiversity net gain for nationally significant infrastructure projects — consultation opened

We are seeking views on the implementation of biodiversity net gain (BNG) for nationally significant infrastructure projects (NSIPs).

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK · ↓ Summary of responses and government response

+1 more

↓ Impact assessment (47pp)

2 May 2025 | Consultation outcome Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs linked

Improving the implementation of biodiversity net gain for minor, medium and brownfield development — consultation opened

We are seeking views on improving the implementation of biodiversity net gain (BNG) for minor, medium and brownfield development.

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK · ↓ Government response and summary of responses

+1 more

↓ Biodiversity net gain (BNG) area-based exemption evidence a… (11pp)

2024

1 event

22 Feb 2024 | Consultation outcome Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs linked

UK Overseas Territories biodiversity strategy — outcome published

Seeking views on the development of a new Overseas Territories biodiversity strategy to have greater impact in protection and restoring biodiversity in UK Overseas Territories (OTs).

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK · ↓ Summary of responses

+2 more

↓ Annex 1: list of all respondents ↓ Annex 2: answers to each individual question

2023

5 events

9 Dec 2023 | Consultation outcome Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs linked

Consultation on the principles of marine net gain — outcome published

The consultation sets out our proposals and seeks views on the principles of marine net gain. This will inform the policy and approaches to marine net gain implementation.

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK · ↓ Government response

+1 more

↓ Summary of responses

29 Nov 2023 | Policy paper Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs linked

Statutory biodiversity metric (including small sites)

The document includes biodiversity metric data values and formulae which are used to calculate biodiversity value.

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK · ↓ Statutory biodiversity metric (including small … (122pp)

28 Jun 2023 | Policy paper Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs linked

Nutrient pollution: reducing the impact on protected sites

Action the government is taking to reduce the impact of nutrient pollution on protected sites and enable sustainable development.

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK · ↓ Nutrient pollution: reducing the impact on prot…

24 Mar 2023 | Consultation outcome Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs linked

UK Overseas Territories biodiversity strategy — consultation closed

Seeking views on the development of a new Overseas Territories biodiversity strategy to have greater impact in protection and restoring biodiversity in UK Overseas Territories (OTs).

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK · ↓ Summary of responses

+2 more

↓ Annex 1: list of all respondents ↓ Annex 2: answers to each individual question

21 Feb 2023 | Consultation outcome Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs linked

Consultation on Biodiversity Net Gain regulations and implementation — outcome published

The consultation sets out our proposals, and seeks views, on how biodiversity net gain will work in practice.

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK · ↓ Government response and summary of responses

2022

10 events

16 Dec 2022 | Consultation outcome Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs linked

UK Overseas Territories biodiversity strategy — consultation opened

Seeking views on the development of a new Overseas Territories biodiversity strategy to have greater impact in protection and restoring biodiversity in UK Overseas Territories (OTs).

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK · ↓ Summary of responses

+2 more

↓ Annex 1: list of all respondents ↓ Annex 2: answers to each individual question

27 Sep 2022 | Consultation (closed) Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs linked

Technical consultation on the biodiversity metric — consultation closed

Questions in this consultation There were 8 questions in this consultation. There were 4 additional questions for confidentiality and respondent information which were included at the beginning of the online survey only. The consultation questions were therefore numbered as

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK

13 Sep 2022 | Consultation outcome Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs linked

Consultation on the principles of marine net gain — consultation closed

The consultation sets out our proposals and seeks views on the principles of marine net gain. This will inform the policy and approaches to marine net gain implementation.

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK · ↓ Government response

+1 more

↓ Summary of responses

27 Aug 2022 | Consultation outcome Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs linked

Ending the retail sale of peat in horticulture in England and Wales — outcome published

Seeking views on measures to end the retail sale of peat and peat containing products in horticulture in England and Wales.

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK · ↓ Summary of responses and government response

2 Aug 2022 | Consultation (closed) Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs linked

Technical consultation on the biodiversity metric — consultation opened

Questions in this consultation There were 8 questions in this consultation. There were 4 additional questions for confidentiality and respondent information which were included at the beginning of the online survey only. The consultation questions were therefore numbered as

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK

7 Jun 2022 | Consultation outcome Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs linked

Consultation on the principles of marine net gain — consultation opened

The consultation sets out our proposals and seeks views on the principles of marine net gain. This will inform the policy and approaches to marine net gain implementation.

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK · ↓ Government response

+1 more

↓ Summary of responses

5 Apr 2022 | Consultation outcome Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs linked

Consultation on Biodiversity Net Gain regulations and implementation — consultation closed

The consultation sets out our proposals, and seeks views, on how biodiversity net gain will work in practice.

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK · ↓ Government response and summary of responses

18 Mar 2022 | Consultation outcome Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs linked

Ending the retail sale of peat in horticulture in England and Wales — consultation closed

Seeking views on measures to end the retail sale of peat and peat containing products in horticulture in England and Wales.

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK · ↓ Summary of responses and government response

31 Jan 2022 | Consultation (closed) Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs linked

Small Sites Metric (SSM) Consultation — consultation closed

This consultation relates to the beta test version of the Small Sites Metric published by Natural England in July 2021. We are seeking feedback about the Small Sites Metric from users and other interested parties that will be used to …

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK

11 Jan 2022 | Consultation outcome Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs linked

Consultation on Biodiversity Net Gain regulations and implementation — consultation opened

The consultation sets out our proposals, and seeks views, on how biodiversity net gain will work in practice.

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK · ↓ Government response and summary of responses

2021

4 events

18 Dec 2021 | Consultation outcome Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs linked

Ending the retail sale of peat in horticulture in England and Wales — consultation opened

Seeking views on measures to end the retail sale of peat and peat containing products in horticulture in England and Wales.

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK · ↓ Summary of responses and government response

31 Oct 2021 | Consultation (closed) Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs linked

Biodiversity Metric 3.0 QGIS template and import tool — consultation closed

We have developed a QGIS template and GIS data import tool to facilitate the bulk import of data into the Biodiversity Metric 3.0. This consultation seeks user feedback on these and the accompanying guidance.

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK

7 Jul 2021 | Consultation (closed) Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs linked

Biodiversity Metric 3.0 QGIS template and import tool — consultation opened

We have developed a QGIS template and GIS data import tool to facilitate the bulk import of data into the Biodiversity Metric 3.0. This consultation seeks user feedback on these and the accompanying guidance.

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK

7 Jul 2021 | Consultation (closed) Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs linked

Small Sites Metric (SSM) Consultation — consultation opened

This consultation relates to the beta test version of the Small Sites Metric published by Natural England in July 2021. We are seeking feedback about the Small Sites Metric from users and other interested parties that will be used to …

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK

2019

2 events

15 Oct 2019 | Consultation outcome Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs linked

Biodiversity net gain: updating planning requirements — outcome published

Seeking views on how we can improve the planning system in England to protect the environment (biodiversity net gain) and build places to live and work.

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK · ↓ Net gain: summary of responses and government r… (96pp)

+1 more

↓ Biodiversity net gain and local nature recovery strategies:… (82pp)

10 Feb 2019 | Consultation outcome Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs linked

Biodiversity net gain: updating planning requirements — consultation closed

Seeking views on how we can improve the planning system in England to protect the environment (biodiversity net gain) and build places to live and work.

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK · ↓ Net gain: summary of responses and government r… (96pp)

+1 more

↓ Biodiversity net gain and local nature recovery strategies:… (82pp)

2018

1 event

2 Dec 2018 | Consultation outcome Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs linked

Biodiversity net gain: updating planning requirements — consultation opened

Seeking views on how we can improve the planning system in England to protect the environment (biodiversity net gain) and build places to live and work.

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK · ↓ Net gain: summary of responses and government r… (96pp)

+1 more

↓ Biodiversity net gain and local nature recovery strategies:… (82pp)

2016

1 event

18 Feb 2016 | Consultation outcome Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs linked

Biodiversity offsetting in England — outcome published

This is a consultation on biodiversity offsetting and how it might be introduced in England.

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK · ↓ Biodiversity offsetting in England: summary of … (40pp)

2015

2 events

8 May 2015 | Policy paper Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs Natural England linked

2010 to 2015 government policy: biodiversity and ecosystems

How the government is working to protect and manage wildlife and areas of land, and protect biodiversity and ecosystems.

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK · ↓ 2010 to 2015 government policy: biodiversity an…

23 Mar 2015 | Consultation outcome Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs linked

Biodiversity: implementing the Nagoya Protocol in the UK — outcome published

Seeking views on proposals for how to implement the Nagoya Protocol and an associated EU regulation in the UK.

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK · ↓ Summary of responses and government reply (19pp)

2014

2 events

21 Apr 2014 | Consultation outcome Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs linked

Biodiversity: implementing the Nagoya Protocol in the UK — consultation closed

Seeking views on proposals for how to implement the Nagoya Protocol and an associated EU regulation in the UK.

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK · ↓ Summary of responses and government reply (19pp)

17 Mar 2014 | Consultation outcome Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs linked

Biodiversity: implementing the Nagoya Protocol in the UK — consultation opened

Seeking views on proposals for how to implement the Nagoya Protocol and an associated EU regulation in the UK.

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK · ↓ Summary of responses and government reply (19pp)

2013

2 events

7 Nov 2013 | Consultation outcome Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs linked

Biodiversity offsetting in England — consultation closed

This is a consultation on biodiversity offsetting and how it might be introduced in England.

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK · ↓ Biodiversity offsetting in England: summary of … (40pp)

5 Sep 2013 | Consultation outcome Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs linked

Biodiversity offsetting in England — consultation opened

This is a consultation on biodiversity offsetting and how it might be introduced in England.

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK · ↓ Biodiversity offsetting in England: summary of … (40pp)