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New Natural Capital tool launched

A new online resource for measuring natural capital has been launched by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) to encourage better environmental decision-making by valuing ‘natural capital’.


The tool hosts comprehensive and integrated evidence and guidance about UK natural capital to help policymakers, businesses, landowners and public sector organisations make better planning decisions in order to protect and to boost natural capital.


Defra says the natural capital approach will make it easier for public and private organisations to better assess and value the environment. This will bring benefits including long-term flood risk reduction, boosts to wildlife, improvements to water and air quality, and opportunities for biodiversity net gain.
Environment Minister Rebecca Pow said the tool meets a commitment from the government’s 25 Year Environment Plan to better incorporate the value of nature and environmental benefits.
“This comes at a critical time where the protection of our environment is ever-more important in combatting climate change and reversing habitat loss,” she said.


The resource – ‘Enabling a Natural Capital Approach’ (ENCA) – was developed in collaboration with experts from across Defra and its agencies and professional and voluntary bodies such as the Valuing Nature Network, to ensure the best available evidence is included in a user-friendly way.
Matthew Farrow, Executive Director of the Environmental Industries Commission (EIC) said: ”Business has a vital role in delivering natural capital improvements across our communities and countryside. To do so it needs to adopt best practice and make decisions based on a consistent understanding of the available tools, resources and datasets.”


The initiative has been welcomed by chartered surveyors and planning consultants at Berrys as an important step towards understanding how the government intends to protect and enhance natural environment.


For more information, get in touch with your local Berrys office or contact Charlotte Rogerson at the Shrewsbury office of Berrys on 01743 290642 email charlotte.rogerson@berrys.uk.com

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