The Nature Investment Land Assessment Tool
Lead Participant:
CITY SCIENCE CORPORATION LIMITED
Abstract
The UK's natural environment was valued at a stock of £1.5 trillion in 2021, but its habitats decreased by 24% from 1990 to 2024, reflecting a pressing need for investment into nature and natural restoration.
However, investment into nature lacks adequate support throughout the planning system. Common hurdles include high transaction costs, planning obstacles, uncertainties in policy-making, and opacity concerning regional opportunities.
Land allocation is critical to supporting this investment, as examples in _Heat Network Zoning_ have demonstrated. But this doesn't exist in nature, and is often considered as an afterthought to planning. Additionally, local authorities lack the resources and understanding to address critical land-use trade offs and nature promotion within their required Local Plans. To enable investment, it is critical that allocation of land for nature is promoted within Local Plans.
By combining our expertise in the following key business areas:
* Geospatial data and digital planning solutions;
* Climate finance advice specialising in offsets and carbon credits
our solution (NILAT) will aim to reduce ecological habitat losses, restoring the value of natural capital and creating revenue for local authorities.
This inclusion of nature in Local Plans will create project pipelines, accelerating investment through certainty and increased financial and social investment analysis.
However, investment into nature lacks adequate support throughout the planning system. Common hurdles include high transaction costs, planning obstacles, uncertainties in policy-making, and opacity concerning regional opportunities.
Land allocation is critical to supporting this investment, as examples in _Heat Network Zoning_ have demonstrated. But this doesn't exist in nature, and is often considered as an afterthought to planning. Additionally, local authorities lack the resources and understanding to address critical land-use trade offs and nature promotion within their required Local Plans. To enable investment, it is critical that allocation of land for nature is promoted within Local Plans.
By combining our expertise in the following key business areas:
* Geospatial data and digital planning solutions;
* Climate finance advice specialising in offsets and carbon credits
our solution (NILAT) will aim to reduce ecological habitat losses, restoring the value of natural capital and creating revenue for local authorities.
This inclusion of nature in Local Plans will create project pipelines, accelerating investment through certainty and increased financial and social investment analysis.
Lead Participant | Project Cost | Grant Offer |
|---|---|---|
| CITY SCIENCE CORPORATION LIMITED | £357,648 | £ 250,354 |
Participant |
||
| CAERPHILLY COUNTY BOROUGH COUNCIL | £14,822 | £ 14,822 |
People |
ORCID iD |
| Lucy Champ (Project Manager) |