IEMA responds to govt decision to delay biodiversity net gain regs on developments

In response to the government's decision to delay biodiversity net gain regulations on new developments, Martin Baxter, deputy CEO at IEMA, said:

"The government’s delay to the introduction of biodiversity net gain for new developments risks compromising the achievement of the government’s recently announced Environmental Improvement Plan interim targets, and longer-term biodiversity targets set through the Environment Act.

"Delays to key environmental and climate policy initiatives undermine confidence for businesses to invest for a sustainable future, and undermine key environmental protections that are intended to reverse the decline in nature.

"We have been working with businesses first hand to help prepare them for the introduction of new biodiversity net gain requirements and know very well how much further delay and uncertainty will impact negatively on their ability to do what is right for our natural environment."