Natural Capital Tool Launched by DEFRA

A new online resource has been launched today by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) to help policy makers, businesses, landowners and public sector organisations make better planning decisions in order to protect and to boost natural capital.

The tool, called the ‘Enabling a Natural Capital Approach’ project, includes evidence and guidance on valuing ecosystems and their services.

Environment Minister Rebecca Pow said:

Today’s publication helps to put the natural environment at the heart of decision-making. It meets a commitment from our 25 Year Environment Plan to better incorporate the value of nature – known as natural capital – and the benefits the environment provides to us all.

This comes at a critical time where the protection of our environment is ever-more important in combatting climate change and reversing habitat loss.

ENCA builds on HM Treasury’s ‘Green Book’ guidance – a standard to which government policies and projects must be measured against, so that government departments fully take account of the natural environment in policy design and publically funded projects.