environment 19


Biodiversity offsetting – a licence to trash nature?


Biodiversity offsetting plans have hit the headlines recently with MPs warning that the proposed plans must be strengthened if they are to 'properly protect Britain’s wildlife', writes Karen Jones, partner, Blandy & Blandy LLP


So what exactly is biodiversity offsetting and why all the press interest?


Biodiversity offsetting enables a developer to impair the environmental value of a site, provided the developer pays to set up or restore another site that has potential to have at least the same environmental quality. It is meant to be used as a ‘last resort’ to allow development with an offsetting compensation process. It is intended to “regulate the biodiversity offsetting market by helping ensure these issues are dealt with more transparently and with greater certainty” than they are currently.


On September 5, 2013 the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) published a Green Paper on biodiversity offsetting in England and launched a consultation on its proposals


which closed on November 7. The pilot schemes located in six areas of England are not mandatory ie developers have to opt in to this scheme. This has led to fewer measureable results than the Government had anticipated.


The belief that biodiversity offsetting could help relieve the inherent tension between economic growth and ecological growth has come under fire from green groups. They refer to the proposal as a “licence to trash nature”. The concern is that biodiversity offsetting is a mechanism by which habitats and species will be destroyed through the ‘box-ticking exercise’ whilst developers will get planning permission for developments which otherwise would not be granted.


Advocates of the scheme refer to success stories in other countries such as Australia, and the


Environment Bank believes that biodiversity offsetting will "save around £57 million to businesses through improved planning and result in an 80% reduction of habitat loss". The proposals are not intended to replace any existing safeguards. This is an additional method which is meant to protect low to moderate value environments which should be more transferable than those of notable biodiversity value.


What is clear is that the scheme will be far more complicated than it might first seem and will require detailed and careful consideration. It is too early in the process to comment on the potential success of biodiversity offsetting. There are questions which will need to be resolved including who will have the burden of maintaining the offset land? Will this be decided on a case-by-case basis where offsetting applies? What about the possibility


Anesco tops global cleantech companies' chart


National energy efficiency solutions company Anesco, which is based in Reading, has been named one of the top cleantech companies in the world, as part of a prestigious global league table.


The Global Cleantech 100 recognises the top 100 private companies in clean technology, that are likely to make the most significant market impact over the next five to10 years.


It lists the


companies that represent the most innovative and promising ideas in cleantech and who are ‘best positioned to solve tomorrow’s clean technology challenges’.


Anesco works with businesses, local authorities and homeowners looking to reduce their carbon emissions. The company is already recognised as one of the fastest-growing


private companies in the UK and as one of the fastest- growing cleantech firms in Europe.


“To be recognised in this way, on such a prestigious international stage, is a fantastic achievement and really reflects the dedication and efforts of the team at Anesco,” said CEO Adrian Pike. “As a leader in the energy efficiency sector in the UK, we continue to break new ground with our pioneering approach which focuses on global innovations and models of best practice.”


The list is produced by Cleantech Group, a global market intelligence and consulting firm helping executives connect with innovation. This year 5,864 companies were nominated from 60 countries. To qualify


THE BUSINESS MAGAZINE – THAMES VALLEY – DECEMBER13/JANUARY14


for the list, companies must be independent, for-profit, cleantech companies that are not listed on any major stock exchange.


“The Global Cleantech 100 is a natural extension of our vision to help corporations and investors connect with innovation around the world,” continued Sheeraz Haji, CEO of Cleantech Group. “This list celebrates inspiring entrepreneurs, and serves as the industry standard on gauging where innovation is headed across key sectors.”


The 2013 Global Cleantech 100 list was officially unveiled at a gala and awards’ ceremony in Washington, DC.


Ben Hart, ESCO technical manager at Anesco, has also been recognised by the Energy Institute as a leader in his field.


of covenants protecting the offset land being removed?


Biodiversity offsetting will be a rare tool in the armoury. The success of biodiversity offsetting relies on the Government’s ability to take on board the comments from all parties and avoid oversimplifying a complicated and complex issue. The Government must ensure any legislation in the area of biodiversity offsetting will be adequate compensatory measures delivered with the transparency and certainty the scheme intended.


Details: Karen Jones 0118-9516864 karen.jones@blandy.co.uk


He has achieved Chartered Energy Manager (CEM) status after demonstrating a high level of expertise in energy management and a broad knowledge of the energy sector. The accreditation recognises individuals who are concerned with the management and efficient use of energy in various forms and the implementation of energy policies.


“I have been working in the energy industry for more than five years now and have been lucky enough to have gained a huge amount of experience in all types of energy efficiency and renewable energy projects, from individual households through to large public and private sector organisations,” he said.


“My current role places me at the forefront of this constantly evolving industry – developing new models and methods of working with available funding streams to create multi-million pound ESCO projects that provide holistic solutions for our clients.”


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