In the ongoing battle against climate change, the importance of biodiversity cannot be overstated. In this webinar, National Health Executive brought together a panel of experts to discuss Biodiversity Net Gain and its implications for urban development and public health.
Hosted by NHE’s Davina White, the discussion highlighted the critical role that biodiversity plays in maintaining a healthy planet for both people and nature.
Biodiversity refers to the variety of all living things on Earth, including plants, animals, and ecosystems. It is essential for clean air, water, food, and overall well-being. BNG is a conservation approach that requires new developments to leave natural environments in a measurably better state than they were before. This legal requirement, introduced in the UK last year, mandates a minimum 10% increase in biodiversity for any new development.
The panel included sustainability leaders from various public sector organisations, including John Hales from Crown Commercial Service, Janet Smith from the Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust, Bret Willers from Coventry City Council, and Hawarun Hussain from NHS England. Each panellist brought unique insights into how their organisations are addressing the challenges of integrating biodiversity into urban planning while meeting the needs of local communities.
One of the key discussions centred around the challenges of implementing BNG in urban areas. As cities become increasingly developed, the pressure to create green spaces while accommodating housing and infrastructure needs grows. Our experts shared practical examples of how they are working to maintain and enhance biodiversity, even in highly urbanised environments. For instance, Janet Smith highlighted the importance of creating wildlife corridors in hospital developments to ensure the continued movement of local wildlife.
Moreover, the health benefits of biodiversity were a focal point of the conversation. Harun Hassane emphasised the positive impact that access to green spaces has on mental health and well-being. Studies have shown that spending time in nature can reduce stress, improve mood, and enhance overall health. As such, integrating biodiversity into urban planning is not just an environmental issue; it's a public health imperative.
As we move forward in our efforts to combat climate change, it's clear that biodiversity must be at the forefront of our strategies. The insights shared by our panel of experts were able to provide a roadmap for organisations to lead the way in creating sustainable, healthy environments for all.
In order to get all of the insight from the panel of experts, you can catch the full webinar on demand here.
