David Cameron set out practical ways to improve biodiversity in a speech to the Wildlife Trust.
He stressed the importance of “making sure that our approach to development is consistent with developing biodiversity”.
And he proposed a system of “conservation credits” whereby any cost to biodiversity, through something like development, is compensated for by at least an equivalent investment in biodiversity elsewhere.
“Conservation credits are about placing a value on biodiversity for the first time, because only if you place a value on something can you truly compensate for loss.”
David described the system as “potentially an incredibly exciting idea to enhance biodiversity”, and explained that, rather than just planting trees on a small patch of land on the edge of a development, it would mean several developments in one area could be pooled to create large habitats.
But David warned that the practicalities of the system would need careful consideration, so, for example, it didn’t make it more difficult for responsible businesses to make green choices.
Nick Herbert, the Shadow Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Secretary, will lead a review into the possibility of introducing conservation credits into England.