Biodiversity, rewilding and natural capital
Nature restoration, rewilding and natural capital
A growing number of landowners are looking to nature restoration and rewilding - as both a practical contribution to combatting a changing climate and an innovative way to generate new sources of revenue. From selling biodiversity credits to developers through programmes like Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) in the UK, to spinning-up associated eco-tourism ventures - a bold few estate owners are leading the way, proving that nature restoration can also be great business.
Protecting species richness and investing in natural capital assets is firmly on the agenda of some of the world’s foremost institutional investors:
“Changes to natural ecosystems and the biodiversity that underpins them, may affect the long-term value of companies in our portfolio …Evolving trends may also present business opportunities.” [Source: Norges Bank Investment Management]
“…biodiversity is of considerable economic importance…by the end of 2025, BNP Paribas will have assessed all its corporate clients on biodiversity-related criteria.” [Source: BNP Paribas]
In practical terms some jurisdictions like the UK have already implemented regulations mandating not just habitat protection, but improvement. The requirement for a 10% uplift in biodiversity has created a market where land owners and developers actively trade units:
“Selling on the BNG market is a choice for land managers. It is a potential source of revenue and could fund nature recovery work on your land. You can sell off-site biodiversity units on your land to developers, who may need to buy these under mandatory BNG requirements.” [Source: GOV.UK]
We draw on both our direct experience, and extended network of technical experts to help rural estates evaluate opportunities within natural capital, rewilding and nature restoration.
Blackdown’s network and experience:
Running all aspects of communications and marketing for the Knepp Estate (one of the UK’s foremost rewilding projects), developing intimate knowledge of what has and hasn’t worked for the estate - from eco-tourism, accommodation and hospitality ventures to BNG and natural capital initiatives
Nature restoration can be a complex and long-term engagement, so we’re proud to have an established network of professional ecologists who can deliver all the data required to secure permissions and payments - from baseline surveys to impact assessments, they’ve delivered projects for prestigious estates and conservation organisations including Cowdray, Knepp, the National Trust and Historic Royal Palaces
Associated services:
Nature restoration and rewilding strategy, planning and implementation
Estate business strategy and planning, viability assessment, operational efficiency
Communications, marketing and public affairs
Relevant for:
Estate owner | Estate Manager | Director of Estates | Landowner | Head of Conservation