Around £325m has been invested into nature recovery projects in relation to biodiversity net gain (BNG) regulations, according to a new report published by Biodiversity Units UK.
The report, which draws on data from 33 habitat bank operators, found more than 21,000 acres of land are now under ecological restoration and more than 200 habitat banks are in operation or development across England due to the regulations, which were introduced in February 2024
The ‘BNG Industry Report: July 2025’ predicts a £3bn retail market could emerge from the regulations, with more than 91,000 BNG units expected to be created by 2035.
Ian Hambleton, founder of Biodiversity Units UK, said: “This first industry report reveals the genuine scale and ambition behind England’s BNG market. With over £320m in private investment and strong environmental confidence from operators, we’re seeing a market that’s no longer in its infancy. This is nature recovery at scale – backed by capital and delivering outcomes.”
