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.
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Impacts of climate change on biodiversity
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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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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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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.
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.
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.
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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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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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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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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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Hannah Knight
Hannah is an Ecologist, helping developers achieve their aspirations whilst simultaneously protecting and enhancing the environment.
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Frances Morris
Frances is an Ecologist and is developing the use of conservation detection dogs in surveying for protected species.
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Miles Newman
Miles is an Ecologist, assessing the impact of projects, such as roads, rail, and wind energy, on wildlife.
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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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Adopting a new and innovative approach to fighting climate change
Read articleIn their recent report on climate change, the Environmental Agency’s prevailing message is morbid: 'Adapt or die'. Our environmental specialists explore how our approach to climate change must be refined for us to see significant and promising progress in reducing the built environment's harm to the planet.
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Peatlands and Nature Recovery Networks: The Environment’s Bill of the ball?
Read articleNature is declining globally at rates unprecedented in human history. But the Government’s recent announcement, setting out plans to tackle biodiversity loss and climate change is a crucial step forward in restoring nature and safeguarding the environment for the future. Director of Ecology, Mike Barker looks at the implications for developers and landowners moving forward.
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