UKGBC launches framework to accelerate a nature-positive built environment
The launch takes place amid increasing attention to biodiversity decline and ecosystem degradation. The UK Government’s National Security Assessment has identified biodiversity loss and ecosystem breakdown as potential national security risks, citing implications for economic stability, supply chains, food security and community resilience. Within this context, the built environment is seen as playing a role in efforts to protect and restore natural systems.
Although “nature positive” has become a widely referenced objective, there has been limited consensus within the sector on its precise definition and implementation. According to UKGBC, this has contributed to varied approaches and uncertainty around best practice. The new Framework seeks to address this by outlining a common definition and setting out recommended actions across organisational strategy, asset management and development activities, aligned with global nature-positive ambitions.
The Framework presents nature as a factor relevant to resilience, value creation and long-term asset, financial and operational performance. It highlights the interdependence between the built environment and natural systems across areas such as land use, construction, supply chains and materials. It also notes that ecosystems provide services including flood mitigation, temperature regulation and support for health and wellbeing, and are increasingly considered within risk and infrastructure planning.
Simon McWhirter, Chief Executive of UKGBC, said:
Nature underpins the economy, public safety and wellbeing, and is an important consideration for the built environment. The impacts of nature loss are already reflected in operational and insurance costs, supply chain disruption and climate-related risk.
This Framework aims to provide clarity on what ‘nature-positive’ means in practice and how organisations can incorporate nature into decision-making, investment and project delivery.
There is also growing interest in directing investment towards homes and places that seek to deliver benefits for people, nature and the wider economy.
