How do we achieve nature positive? A vision and targets for the UK residential and commercial development sector
Abstract The Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework’s 2050 Vision depicts a world living in harmony with nature where “biodiversity is valued, conserved, restored and wisely used, maintaining ecosystem services, sustaining a healthy planet and delivering benefits essential for all people”. To achieve this vision, alternatives to business-as-usual are urgently needed, especially in the highest impacting sectors. Here we demonstrate the use of visioning and target setting to create an actionable roadmap to a ‘nature positive’ future for the UK residential and commercial development sector. During an online workshop, ten expert participants defined a shared vision for the development sector in 2050, and worked collaboratively to identify interim targets required to achieve that vision. The resulting roadmap highlights the need to improve biodiversity monitoring and assessment methods, strengthen Biodiversity Net Gain metrics, increase ecological literacy and conservation funding, and enhance community access to, and connection with, nature.
Authors
- Sophus zu Ermgassen (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6044-3389)
- Georgia E. Garrard (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4031-9054)
- P. Nolan (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0629-9771)
- Sarah Jane Chimbwandira
- Stuart Connop (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3050-7649)
- Sarah Bekessy (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0503-1979)
- Prue Addison (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4195-9723)
- Jacinta E. Humphrey (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4334-7018)
- Michael J. Burgass (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5519-8315)
- Matthew J. Selinske (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0191-9364)
- Natalie Duffus (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7126-4909)
- Caroline Nash (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4819-8688)
- Juliet Staples
- Bethany M. Kiss (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0003-6263-2249)
- Russell Hartwell
- Rebecca L. Moberly
Institutions
- The Pirbright Institute (GB)
- University of East London (GB)
- The University of Melbourne (AU)
- Local Government Association (GB)
- Liverpool City Council (GB)
- University of Oxford (GB)
- MIT University (MK)
- United Utilities (United Kingdom) (GB)
- Berkshire Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire Wildlife Trust (GB)
- Ecosystem Sciences (AU)
- Nottingham Trent University (GB)
- Game & Wildlife Conservation Trust (GB)
- RMIT University (AU)
Publication Details
- Journal
- npj Urban Sustainability
- Published
- 2025-04-18
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.1038/s42949-025-00204-0
- Citations
- 3
- Primary Topic
- Environmental Conservation and Management
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 7.27
Funders
- David and Elaine Potter Foundation
- Ian Potter Foundation
- RMIT University
- Australian Research Council