Episode 31: From Creator to Rater of Biodiversity Net Gain with David Hill CBE, Founder of Foundation for Nature

Jonathan Withey hosts a conversation with David Hill CBE, described as a key architect of Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG), discussing its origin from David’s experience in environmental impact assessment, his push from biodiversity offsetting to mandated BNG, and why voluntary adoption failed. David argues onsite BNG is ineffective and advocates professional, audited offsite habitat banks, noting BNG costs about 0.6% of gross development value and warning that exemptions, environmental delivery plans, and a levy-based Nature Restoration Fund could undermine private investment and market stability. He outlines his new venture, Foundation for Nature, a ratings agency for nature restoration projects using pillars of ecological integrity, financial security, governance, and community benefits. The episode also covers career advice, policy context, and David’s best and worst nature experiences, including concern over declining curlew populations.00:00 Podcast Welcome and Context02:10 Finding Hope in Nature03:13 Meet David Hill and Episode Preview05:20 Career Beginnings in Ecology07:38 Breaking Into the Industry Today08:52 Skills Volunteering and Higher Study13:27 The Origin of Biodiversity Net Gain18:43 Politics and the Economics of Nature22:34 How to Improve BNG Policy23:35 No Exemptions and Real Costs24:53 Why Environmental Delivery Plans Worry Him28:08 Levy Risks and Nature Restoration Fund28:27 Policy Scares Off Investors30:37 Why The Levy Fails32:13 Foundation For Nature Explained35:18 Corporate Biodiversity Reporting38:46 Ratings Pillars And Scoring42:24 Onsite Versus Offsite BNG45:42 First Nature Memories47:50 Best Wildlife Encounters49:37 Curlew Decline And Solutions52:41 Rewilding And Shifting Baselines55:41 Wrap Up And ReflectionsSend us Fan Mail