A new phase of Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) has begun. Since 2nd November 2026, Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects (NSIPs) in England applying for Development Consent Orders have been required to deliver at least 10% BNG.
This brings major energy, transport, water and other infrastructure projects firmly into the BNG market.
But as demand increases, a more interesting question emerges: how can infrastructure projects secure meaningful biodiversity gains, not simply enough units?
Our BNG Finder Dashboard suggests the supply market is evolving quickly. In July alone, registered sites rose from 260 to 304, a 17% increase, with more than 950 hectares of additional habitat added. Watercourse uplift increased by 10.9%, while registered wetland habitat grew by 13.4%.
Increasing supply is good news. Increasing diversity could be even more important. For major and linear infrastructure, finding BNG can involve choices around location, habitat type, delivery readiness and strategic fit. But those choices can also create opportunities to deliver wider benefits. The right nature project might contribute not only biodiversity units, but also habitat connectivity, catchment recovery, flood resilience, water quality, landscape priorities or wider nature recovery. Understanding those opportunities means looking beyond a unit price and considering how BNG investment fits into the wider environmental ambitions of a project and place.
The right nature project might contribute not only biodiversity units, but also habitat connectivity, catchment recovery, flood resilience, water quality, landscape priorities or wider nature recovery.
That is where a curated approach can add value. BNG Finder combines market data with a growing network of landowners, habitat banks, conservation organisations and emerging nature recovery projects which are planning future supply. Rather than simply providing a list of available units, we help buyers explore different options based on factors including location, habitat, timing/forward options and price, alongside their potential strategic fit.
As large scale infrastructure demand enters the market, the opportunity is therefore bigger than compliance: Supply is growing. Choice is increasing. The challenge is matching infrastructure investment with biodiversity projects that can deliver the right units, in the right place, with the greatest wider value.
Explore the BNG Finder Dashboard and talk to us about BNG requirements for your infrastructure project via bngfinder@accelar.co.uk.