Nature Recovery and Land Use: Accelerating Biodiversity Net Gain Roundtable with Oliver Harmar, Natural England

Nature at the heart of growth, health, and security 

The discussion highlighted the importance of integrating nature into economic, social, and health priorities. Participants emphasised that recovering nature at scale requires collaboration, systems thinking, and strategic targeting of resources. Local authorities were identified as critical players in aligning initiatives across water, land, and biodiversity planning. 

Financing nature-based solutions, developing frameworks to measure outcomes, and creating mechanisms that allow businesses and communities to deliver measurable benefits were recognised as key enablers. There was consensus that nature can support growth when implemented efficiently and strategically. The group recognised the importance of local nature recovery strategies (LNRSs) to inform both BNG and community action, and the need for reliable data and capacity to measure and manage biodiversity.  

Building momentum and inclusivity 

The roundtable explored how to generate public engagement and corporate buy-in. Ideas included enhancing the importance of local green spaces, embedding nature recovery in education and workforces (green skills), and ensuring that strategies are inclusive and address equality gaps.  

Health and local action 

Nature’s role in improving health was a recurring theme. Green spaces and nature-based solutions were seen as important components of broader health strategies, with participants stressing that local delivery is essential to achieve meaningful impact. Integrating nature outcomes into planning and procurement processes was discussed as a way to scale solutions and embed nature recovery in decision-making. 

Financing and scaling nature-based solutions 

Investment from the private sector was considered key, with discussions on how to better connect with the financial sector and the need for new financial mechamisms and models. Early-stage initiatives, such as biodiversity net gain and nature restoration funds, were acknowledged as promising, though still in their infancy. Scaling these solutions will require strategic alignment, robust frameworks, and coordinated action across sectors. 

Valuing nature 

The group discussed the role of natural capital in creating an economic value for nature and that nature can be considered as critical infrastructure. ISEP is currently writing a paper on nature as critical infrastructure that will be published in November. 

The roundtable concluded that accelerating nature recovery and BNG requires a locally driven, strategic, and financially sustainable approach, with collaboration between government, business, and institutions being essential to long-term success.