Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) officially came into force on February 12, 2024. Today marks one year since the Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) law was passed, a landmark policy aimed at reversing nature’s decline. Designed to ensure that new developments leave biodiversity in a better state than before, BNG has become a critical tool for achieving the UK’s legally binding target to halt nature’s decline by 2030.

The Positive Impact of BNG: A Global Model for Nature and Development

One of BNG’s biggest strengths is its potential to unlock significant private investment for conservation. Tackling biodiversity loss is a multi-billion-pound challenge, with the Green Finance Institute estimating a funding need of up to £9.7bn per year by 2030. Neither the government nor local authorities can meet this demand alone, making BNG a crucial mechanism to mobilise private sector funding for habitat restoration and protection.

As one of the first policies of its kind, BNG positions England as a global leader in sustainable development. With other countries closely watching its implementation, the policy not only has the potential to reshape land use planning in the UK but also to influence nature-positive economic models worldwide. If refined and strengthened, BNG could serve as a long-term driver of biodiversity restoration, carbon sequestration, and green investment, setting a new global standard for balancing development with nature recovery.

Loopholes and Weak Links in BNG Implementation

While the intent behind BNG is strong, practical implementation has revealed vulnerabilities that need to be addressed in 2025 to assure long-term success. As the first year of BNG implementation unfolds, a few loopholes, weak links, and industry concerns began to emerge and thus could not be ignored. A recent AiDASH survey of environmental professionals revealed key challenges—ranging from data accessibility issues to a shortage of skilled ecologists and ethical dilemmas. Despite these setbacks, technology and policy refinements offer a way forward.

1. Gaps in data accessibility and usability

One of the biggest concerns highlighted in the survey is the difficulty in obtaining the right information. Two-thirds of respondents reported struggling to find the data required for identifying and defining habitats, while 63% found it difficult to access data on the strategic significance of habitats.

2. The shortage of skilled ecologists

A striking 89% of survey respondents flagged a “substantial and concerning” shortfall in experienced ecologists to deliver BNG, with only a quarter finding sufficient training opportunities available to upskill. This talent gap presents a major bottleneck in successful BNG implementation.

3. The shortage of skilled ecologists

With 73% of ecologists reporting feeling “pressured, rushed, or stretched” when delivering BNG, and more than half raising ethical concerns about how the metric is applied, it’s clear that improvements are needed to make biodiversity net gain a successful strategy it has the potential to be.

One concern is the risk of “perverse outcomes”, where the push to meet the 10% net gain requirement leads to inaccurate or impractical biodiversity improvements. There is also growing unease over potential loopholes and exemptions, with campaigners warning that misuse of these could jeopardise the 2030 target.

4. Mass exemptions and potential policy exploitation

BNG is not universally applied—certain developments, including small sites and some brownfield projects, are exempt. However, campaigners warn of “mass abuse” of these exemptions, which could significantly undermine the policy’s impact. If exemptions are misused, developers may legally avoid their BNG obligations, ultimately jeopardising the 2030 biodiversity targets.

Academics and conservation groups stress that BNG is still in its infancy and needs refinement, not replacement. They highlight early evidence that BNG is working—not only by incentivising habitat restoration but also by deterring harmful development on valuable ecological sites. Additionally, with other countries closely monitoring BNG as a model for nature markets, scrapping or weakening the policy could send damaging signals internationally.

As BNG enters its second year, the key challenge will be strengthening its implementation while ensuring it remains a driver of both nature recovery and responsible development.