When it comes to the future of development, we must rethink our relationship with biodiversity. Tom Butterworth, UKIMEA Nature Lead at Arup, warns that biodiversity is disappearing faster than ever, with 60% of species abundance lost since 1970. This decline, combined with climate change, could knock 12% off the UK’s GDP, an impact greater than COVID-19 or recent financial crises.
The shift towards biodiversity net gain will transform how we build, ensuring green spaces and long-term benefits. However, the true impact of construction lies beyond the building site in the materials and processes across the value chain. Butterworth stresses that embedding nature in every stage of development will create resilient cities for the future, making concrete and steel no longer the sole answer.
