Trustgreen have won a prestigious Green Apple Environment Award for their commitment and work on Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) which became mandatory for the majority of developments in England in February 2024. This makes them the first open space management organisation in the UK to be formally recognised in this way, cementing their position as leaders in this crucial environmental concept.
Since it was made mandatory through the Environment Act 2021, Trustgreen has been making the necessary preparations to ensure that we are BNG-ready. By incorporating BNG principles into their projects, they are making a positive contribution to local ecosystems and communities. Their goal is not only to meet standards but also to set new benchmarks for environmental stewardship. They believe in safeguarding the environment in perpetuity for future generations.
Their success is built on a commitment to leading through knowledge. Their team is continually learning, keeping Trustgreen at the forefront of environmental advancements and up-skilling. They currently offer CPD BNG training courses both in-house to our various Trustgreen teams and also externally for professionals within the industry.
They have piloted BNG on several sites to showcase their ability to carry out a BNG uplift from concept to installation, to ongoing competent management. They chose sites with various habitats and urban settings, from amenity green space to wildflower meadows to wetlands and wet woodlands. Demonstrating their ability to undertake BNG in various settings and locations. Their management and monitoring practices across their various sites are transparent and data-driven, and they encourage others to adopt similar practices.
Biodiversity Net Gain
Richard Thomas, Group ESG Director at Trustgreen said:
“I was genuinely blown away when I received the news that we had won a Green Apple Award from The Green Organisation. We have all worked so hard on the concept of Biodiversity Net Gain over the last few years so it’s wonderful to have this validated and our progression marked in this way – I do not know of any other open space management organisations that have been similarly recognised.
“Every one of my colleagues cares deeply about the environment and we are committed to maintaining, managing, and monitoring our open spaces in such a way that they are not only measurably enhanced but become conduits for community growth, and I hope they are all as equally as proud as I am with this achievement. But this is not the end of our journey, rather confirmation that we are on the right track. With mandatory Biodiversity Net Gain now in force in England, Trustgreen will work tirelessly to ensure that all can benefit from and engage with the natural world. We would encourage anyone wishing to know more to simply reach out to us, so we can share what we feel best practice looks like.’’
The awards are organised by The Green Organisation – an international, independent, non-political, non-profit environment group dedicated to recognising, rewarding, and promoting environmental best practices around the world. The glittering presentation ceremony will take place at Kensington Palace on the 18th of November.