Howkins & Harrison have recently signed up with the EFG to become an accredited professional firm, recognised by the EFG and their members. This is a really positive step for the firm to strengthen our position within the natural capital market and be able to access new opportunities for our clients with expert guidance.
In recent years, natural capital has shifted from a niche concept to a central pillar of UK land management policy. The Environment Act 2021 introduced a mandatory 10% Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) uplift for all planning permissions, and more recently, the Royal Assent of the Planning & Infrastructure Act in December 2025, which reinforced the long term commitment to nature recovery in the UK. There are now a number of natural capital markets available to our clients in a bid to reach Net Zero including soil carbon, Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) and Nutrient Neutrality to name a few. But in reality, the Government cannot deliver these alone and can’t deliver this where it is needed. This transformation relies on private landowners to willingly engage with nature restoration, and those who do, stand to benefit from new income streams and long-term land resilience.
The EFG is a cooperative members group for farmers and landowners representing over 386,854 hectares across the UK. Their mission is to deliver environmental change on a landscape scale, funded through natural capital trading. What sets the EFG apart is their ability to offer:
A trusted, cooperative approach to natural capital markets
Access to fair and transparent trading opportunities
Comprehensive support, from baselining and planning to monitoring
Science‑led insights that help de‑risk environmental schemes for landowners and investors
By operating at scale, the EFG helps unlock natural capital markets that may previously have been inaccessible or lacked credibility for individual landowners. This creates more certainty, more opportunity, and a stronger foundation for long‑term environmental management.
Our accreditation with the EFG means we are working together to strengthen relationships with our clients and ensure we remain at the forefront of this rapidly expanding sector. Whether it’s BNG, carbon, nutrient mitigation, or future markets still in development, we are committed to providing clear, actionable advice rooted in expertise and up‑to‑date industry insight.
If you’re considering how natural capital might fit into your long‑term plans, or simply exploring ways to diversify income on the farm, now is the right time to start the conversation. Get in touch with a member of our Rural Team to discuss the opportunities available and how these could benefit your business.
