Biodiversity offsetting

Our expert knowledge of the Nature Recovery network in Gloucestershire means we are best placed to provide strategic advice on where habitat creation work can best deliver a gain for biodiversity – although onsite and local projects should always be prioritised. Where it is possible, we will support long-term planning by seeking incomes guaranteed for decades in the form of conservation covenants. We will look to support links with investors for large-scale land-use change for new habitat creation and supported by public sector or private sources.

We can explore opportunities with local planning authorities for biodiversity net gain and green infrastructure programmes. We can help developers with the assessment and production of biodiversity net gain plans or the calculation of a project’s biodiversity value pre and post-development.

Our woodlands are often talked about for their carbon storing ability. What's not always known is that whilst trees and other plants lock up carbon, nearly three times as much is stored in the woodland soils that support them!

UK woodlands cover approximately 13% of land area and are estimated to soak up around 21 million tonnes of carbon dioxide a year. That's around a third of the carbon dioxide emitted by cars every year in the UK.

Local Authorities are looking to plant trees or offset nature lost through housing or commercial development. Large and medium sized companies are also looking to demonstrate their commitment to tackling climate change, so there are many new opportunities for landowners.

Protecting existing woodland and expanding tree cover is vital, so that we continue to lock up more carbon naturally. But it also has other benefits: more woodland for people to enjoy, cleaner air and a natural air conditioning system in cities where urban trees are planted, reduced flood risk and - of course - more homes for wildlife!

But it's really important that new woodland creation is planned carefully to make sure it's in the right place and not planted over the top of other valuable habitats like peatland or grassland, as this can lead to the release of carbon, rather than the opposite. The type of woodland is also important, with mixed native woodland better for climate change and wildlife than plantations of single tree species. Where the trees are regularly harvested for timber as in the latter, they will only store carbon for a short time.