Environmental Benefits from Nature Tool
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Tool Description
The Environmental Benefits from Nature Tool is a voluntary decision-support tool. It is designed to work alongside the Biodiversity Metric (currently version 1.0.4) to support projects delivering Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG). It mirrors the Biodiversity Metric approach by applying a matrix of scores for different habitats and ecosystem services, to enable interoperability. It is intended to support the Government’s 25 Year Environment Plan commitment to ‘expand net gain approaches to include wider Natural Capital benefits such as flood protection, recreation and improved water and air quality.
The tool uses a habitat-based approach. This provides a common and consistent means of considering the direct impact of land use change across 18 ecosystem services. It also measures changes in the extent and condition of habitats, aiming to make losses and gains more transparent to flag areas for more detailed consideration. The score matrix is modified using multipliers to reflect habitat conditions, spatial location, delivery risk, and time taken to reach maturity. The aim is to help improve the design and outcomes of development and demonstrate the wider benefits of BNG. The tool is designed for work in England, supporting developers, planners and other interested parties.
Running the Tool
Tool Inputs
Habitat type and area data, project details, and outputs from the Statutory Biodiversity Metric (optional).
Resource Requirements
Microsoft Excel (2012 or later), spatial/habitat data, and optional GIS tools (e.g. QGIS).
time Requirements
<2 days.
How does it work?
The tool assigns scores (0–10) to habitats for 18 ecosystem services, adjusts them using condition and spatial multipliers, and compares baseline vs post-intervention scenarios to estimate changes in ecosystem service provision.
Using Tool Outputs
Tool Outputs
The tool outputs include charts and tables which demonstrate changes in ecosystem service provision. Please see the example below of the EBN tool output interface.
How can the tool be used to inform decisions?
The tool is used to compare scenarios and identify trade-offs and synergies between ecosystem services. It supports land-use planning and development design by highlighting gains/losses in ecosystem services, identifying opportunities to improve delivery and mitigate trade-offs, and helping prioritise interventions in line with local or national priorities.
Limitations of Use
The EBN tool is an exploratory scoping tool, not a detailed biophysical or hydrological model. For example, it cannot be used to model flood prevention potential in detail – it only reflects the area of different habitats, not the contours of the ground. As it is designed to be used alongside the Biodiversity Metric, biodiversity is not included in the EBNT. It is designed to be used at the scale of a development site or large estate. It can be used at larger scales (e.g. Local Authority District, or even County) but at these scales you are unlikely to be able to complete all the indicators that require ground surveys, (e.g. percentage ground cover, presence of shrub understory, etc.) so it is likely that it will only be completed at Basic level.
Validation
The EBN tool has been extensively tested by consultants working for Natural England to check for any bugs in operation. The scores and multipliers were peer reviewed through a series of expert workshops.
Case Studies
The EBN has publicly available case studies in England focused on Open Kensington and the UK Department of Education.
Developer Organisations
Natural England and the University of Oxford developed the Environmental Benefits from Nature Tool in partnership with Defra, the Forestry Commission and the Environment Agency and are responsible for its continued management.
