In the second round of the Natural Environment Investment Readiness Fund (NEIRF), announced by Defra and the Environment Agency, grants of up to £100,000 have been provided to environmental groups, local authorities, businesses and other organisations to help them develop nature projects to a point where they can attract private investment. 

The funding aims to help develop projects so they can demonstrate a return on that investment by capturing the value of carbon, water quality, biodiversity and other benefits provided by natural assets such as woodlands, peatlands and rivers – with revenue generated through the sale of carbon storage, improvements in biodiversity, natural flood management benefits and reduced water treatment costs.  

The primary purpose of Derbyshire Wildlife Trust’s scheme, known as Derbyshire's Nature Recovery and Natural Capital Investment Aggregator, will be to facilitate Nature’s Recovery across Derbyshire by making and protecting more space for Nature. 

Through enabling the creation of more space for nature and accelerating the delivery of nature recovery networks, the project will address a broad range of environmental and ecological problems, while supporting the government’s the 25 Year Environment Plan goals and strengthening the provision of essential ecosystem services across Derbyshire.  

Matt Buckler, Head of Wilder Landscapes at Derbyshire Wildlife Trust, said:  

“We are delighted to have been awarded funds from NEIRF to move our Aggregator project forward. There are several upcoming schemes and income-generating mechanisms such as Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG), Carbon Credits and Phosphate Capture, which pose significant opportunities for the Trust to generate income through rewilding, accelerating the delivery of our Local Nature Recovery Strategies to make much more space for nature.  

“As a key provider and protector of wildlife in Derbyshire, our priority is to ensure that these schemes deliver the most effective solutions for society and nature. Using our specialist local knowledge and expertise, we are uniquely positioned to deliver high quality natural spaces that can benefit nature and generate the wider ecosystem services that society needs.” 

Sir James Bevan, chief executive of the Environment Agency, said:  

“We know that there is significant appetite in the finance sector to invest in the environment and restore nature which has long-term benefits for society. 

“The £10 million Natural Environment Investment Readiness Fund has provided grants to 86 projects across England, including Derbyshire's Nature Recovery and Natural Capital Investment Aggregator. 

“We hope that by providing support to these pioneering projects we will not only help them to attract investment, but also help us to develop models that can be used by other schemes and improve the environment for future generations.”  

Tony Juniper, Chair of Natural England, said: 

“The development of these kinds of projects will be a vital part of how we deliver the ambitious Nature Recovery Network that is at the heart of Natural England and the government’s plans and I am glad to see the Natural Environment Investment Readiness Fund showing how it can be done. 

“By investing in nature we can not only tackle climate change and create, protect and restore important habitats - but also improve the health and wellbeing of society by connecting people with the natural environment.” 

Discover more about the Natural Environment investment Readiness Fund.  

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