Conclusion

Natural capital assessments along with the consideration of wider social value and the historic environment provide a complementary approach to the EIA process. Undertaking these additional assessments presents an opportunity to reframe the way transport schemes interact with their surrounding environment, better identifying the value of both the existing environment and proposed mitigation. In this way, these assessments support schemes to deliver wider benefit creation by moving away from purely considering and mitigating adverse impacts to exploring additional opportunities for enhancement.

The key benefits of this retrospective study have been:

• The development of a blueprint natural capital assessment methodology that can be applied to future projects wishing to adopt a natural capital approach. This methodology is aligned with best practice, such as the Scottish Natural Capital Accounts, Defra’s Enabling a Natural Capital Approach guidance, and HM Treasury’s Green Book.
• The methodology includes a robust and defensible approach to the monetary valuation of ecosystem service change that could be incorporated into the cost-benefit analysis of future schemes, to support business case development.
• A contribution to the discipline, particularly regarding how ancient woodland and the historic environment are considered within natural capital assessments, aspects which are arguably overlooked and undervalued in existing methodologies. The study also explored the underdeveloped area of how habitat connectivity and ecosystem service provision are interrelated. The approach to habitat connectivity could be developed further for future schemes to address historic habitat fragmentation and support the delivery of nature networks under NPF4.
• The development of a methodology that accounts for the value of ancient woodland, allowing future projects to better preserve the strong sense of place that comes from these important natural assets. This will support Transport Scotland’s decision making in a policy landscape where key stakeholders such as NatureScot are putting a greater focus on place making.
• Engaging with stakeholders has highlighted the need for collaboration in adopting a natural capital approach to successfully delivering environmental enhancements in line with statutory consultees’ requirements.
• The study has demonstrated alignment with wider social value policy and generated recommendations as to how wider benefits and greater social value could be embedded across future projects.
• The study has highlighted how natural capital assessments can add value to the EIA process. Reviewing information and data through a natural capital lens can identify additional opportunities for enhancement. For example, the development of mitigation designs that better support increased biodiversity and provide a wider range of ecosystem services.
• Through this summary report, the study has provided accessible and transparent outcomes, thereby supporting the wider sector’s understanding of natural capital principles and the benefits of taking a natural capital approach.