Launching Clarion Housing Group’s Nature Recovery strategy: A blueprint for biodiversity and community well-being
“Our new Nature Recovery strategy is a comprehensive approach to enhancing biodiversity, improving community well-being, and building climate resilience across our developments and existing neighbourhoods.”
By Miles Lewis, Director of Sustainability at Clarion Housing Group
Today I am happy to announce the launch of Clarion Housing Group’s Nature Recovery Strategy, which represents a comprehensive approach to enhancing biodiversity, improving community well-being, and building climate resilience across our developments and existing neighbourhoods.
As we confront the dual crises of climate change and biodiversity loss, Clarion is dedicated to pursuing activities that not only recover nature but also support our broader climate and sustainability goals.
Our Nature Recovery strategy therefore focuses on delivering against three key focus areas of our Sustainability strategy:
- Biodiversity & nature: We aim for a measurable biodiversity net gain (BNG) above the mandatory levels for all new development projects, aspiring for 20%. For our existing neighbourhoods, our goal is a 10% voluntary BNG uplift on up to five communities each year.
- Well-being & placemaking: Our initiatives are designed to enhance the physical and mental well-being of our residents by providing increased access to high-quality green spaces. This promotes community cohesion and supports healthier lifestyles.
- Climate resilience: By integrating nature-based solutions in our designs, we enhance ecosystem services that mitigate the effects of climate change, contributing to greater environmental stability around our properties.
Our strategy includes specific 'Nature Actions' for new developments and existing homes and neighbourhoods, which is our way of ensuring every project contributes positively to local biodiversity.
We know that nature is important to our residents, after asking them through our Clarion Index, Clarion Voice and nature focus group. It was important that our strategy was shaped by their concerns and desires when it comes to the practicalities of enabling nature recovery across our homes and neighbourhoods.
For example, we know that:
- 70% of our residents think climate change is important to them personally (Clarion Index, 2023)
- 75% of those surveyed showed positive attitudes towards nature recovery (Clarion Voice, 2024)
- The main concerns around any approach to nature recovery are linked to maintenance (70%) and potential messiness (55%) as well as raising concerns around financial implications if green space improvements
It is our aspiration to deliver these nature improvements through changes to our management and maintenance regimes and to deliver enhancements which won’t financially impact residents. This strategy encourages and allows for continued resident engagement as part of our approach, to improve it over time and to clearly engage with residents in their areas, ensuring that we are achieving positive outcomes for people and nature.
Through this new Nature Recovery strategy, we aren't just aiming to meet regulatory requirements but aiming to set a new standard for integrating nature recovery into housing development and management. Our efforts today are investments in a biodiverse and resilient future for all our residents and communities.
Read our full strategy and learn more about our approach to Nature Recovery.