Delivering Nature Positive Biodiversity Outcomes

Following on from COP27, governments from around the world are coming together once again, this time at COP15, to agree a new set of goals to tackle biodiversity loss. 

The new goals, summarised in the Convention on Biological Diversity post-2020 framework will detail the action needed to ensure that, by 2050, the shared vision of living in harmony with nature is fulfilled.

Advocating nature-based solutions

The driving force behind COP15 is the fact that, despite ongoing efforts, biodiversity is still in decline across the globe and the trajectory is set to continue if we continue as we are now. 

At RPS, we support clients to deliver Net Positive biodiversity outcomes that not only maintain biodiversity but enhance it. 

Jump to:

Impacts of climate change on biodiversity

Nature-based solutions

Biodiversity Net Gain

Meet our ecology experts

Sources

Mike Barker COP15 Landing page Asset.jpg (1)

Impacts of climate change on biodiversity

  • Protecting biodiversity

    Biodiversity supports everything in nature we need to survive: food, clean water, and shelter. We depend on ecosystems functioning. But climate change is accelerating habitat loss and degradation on land and water, endangering many species.

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  • Deforestation and development are destroying habitats

    Human-driven actions are disrupting vital ecosystems and accelerating the climate and biodiversity crises, damaging wetland, grassland, and woodland habitats.

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    Biodiversity day - Impacts of climate change web graphics2.jpg
  • Human-driven increased levels of carbon dioxide is polluting the ocean

    CO2 is causing the ocean to become more acidic. By 2100, it’s expected that acidity levels will alter ocean chemistry and dissolve shells and corals. This change will have a detrimental impact on ecosystems, hugely affecting habitats and food chains.

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  • Many species are in decline

    Species across many different environments are becoming endangered as a result of human interference and climate change. Habitat loss and degradation is disrupting ecosystems and causing imbalances in the natural environment.

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    Biodiversity in Europe - the most endangered species graphic on green background with a Ram's Horn snail,  Planorbella trivolvis freshwater air-breathing snail.
  • Delivering Biodiversity Net Gain

    But not all is lost. Factoring in Biodiversity Net Gain during development aims to create or enhance habitats to improve biodiversity, leaving the environment in a better state than it was before.

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Nature-based solutions

The protection and restoration of nature is vital if we’re to halt biodiversity loss and reduce the impacts of climate change. Harnessing the power of nature, Nature-based solutions (NbS) can be utilised to deliver scalable and affordable action to benefit both society and biodiversity.

Designed to protect, restore and manage ecosystems, they provide a range of benefits, including enhanced biodiversity, flood alleviation, better livelihoods for local communities, and they contribute to greenhouse gas reductions, either by storing carbon or by preventing its release.

But balancing biodiversity, conservation, development and growth is a pressing challenge for governments across the globe. How do we utilise NbS to get the much-needed benefits they offer? 

Biodiversity net gain

Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) is an approach that aims to ensure developments have a positive ecological impact, delivering improvements through habitat creation or enhancement after avoiding or mitigating harm. We want to leave sites in a better condition than how they were found. And whilst it only applies to development in England at the moment, it is expected that other nations will look to similar legislation in the near future. 

Find out more about Biodiversity Net Gain and how to deliver it. 

Honeybee pollinating lavender

Meet some of our experts

So how are we making a difference?

Meet some of our ecology specialists below where you'll hear about their career journey, responsibilities, and how their role can contribute in the fight against climate change.

  • Tessa McGarry

    Tessa is a Marine Ecologist, supporting wind farm developers to navigate the consenting process to ensure development doesn't negatively impact marine mammals.

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    Tess McGarry Biodiversity Day Landing page Asset.jpg
  • Stephen Lockwood

    Stephen is an Ecologist specialising in upland habitats and their peatland ecosystems, helping developers improve the biodiversity within their sites.

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    Stephen Lockwood Biodiversity Day Landing page Asset.jpg
  • Nora Washbourne

    Nora is a Freshwater Ecologist specialising in habitat assessments and advising on design requirements, such as influencing watercourse crossing designs to ensure fish migration is maintained.

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    Nora Washbourne Biodiversity Day Landing page Asset.jpg
  • Kevin Linnane

    Kevin is a Marine Ecologist, responsible for a team of marine ecology and Habitat Regulation Assessment (HRA) specialists within RPS, meeting the increased demand for offshore wind both in the UK and overseas.

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    Headshot of Kevin Linnane, Associate Director at RPS, with quote:
"There is an increasing focus on how offshore wind farms can help to deliver Biodiversity Net Gain in the marine environment, to help restore marine biodiversity while also generating clean energy for future generations."
  • Hannah Knight

    Hannah is an Ecologist, helping developers achieve their aspirations whilst simultaneously protecting and enhancing the environment.

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    Hannah Knight Biodiversity Day Landing page Asset.jpg
  • Frances Morris

    Frances is an Ecologist and is developing the use of conservation detection dogs in surveying for protected species.

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    Francis Morris Biodiversity Day Landing page Asset.jpg
  • Miles Newman

    Miles is an Ecologist, assessing the impact of projects, such as roads, rail, and wind energy, on wildlife.

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    Miles Newman Biodiversity Day Landing page Asset.jpg
  • Rob Rowlands

    Rob is an Ecologist, currently working on a range of nationally-critical projects, including contributing to the delivery of Ireland's 2030 renewable energy target.

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    Rob Rowlands Biodiversity Day Landing page Asset.jpg

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