Log in or register
Share on LinkedInShare on LinkedIn

ARTICLE · 02 JULY 2026

UK Government Publishes Draft Regulations To Implement The Nature Restoration Levy

Mayer Brown
Mayer Brown
Contributor
Mayer Brown

Mayer Brown

Mayer Brown is a leading international law firm positioned to represent the world’s major...

View firm profile
Explore more from Mayer Brown

The UK Government has introduced a new framework for offsetting environmental harms from housing and infrastructure development through the Nature Restoration Fund and Nature Restoration Levy. This approach pools money from individual developments to fund strategic environmental interventions, replacing the previous site-by-site mitigation system that was criticized for failing to halt environmental decline while slowing housing schemes.

United KingdomEnvironment
Michael Hutchinson
Michael Hutchinson
Tim Baines
Tim Baines
Iain Roberts
Iain Roberts
Author LinkedIn connections

1. Introduction

In a bid to spur economic growth and reverse environmental decline, in 2025, the UK Government introduced a new approach to off-setting environmental harms caused by new housing and infrastructure development.

Until now, the approach had been to require developers, on a site-by-site basis, to calculate the environmental harm caused by their development and and either make off-site compensating provision or make an equivalent payment to the local authority. This was criticised both by developers and environmental activists for failing to halt environmental decline, whilst at the same time slowing—and sometimes halting—much-needed housing schemes.

By establishing the Nature Restoration Fund ("NRF")and the Nature Restoration Levy ("NRL"),the Government's new approach is to pool money raised from individual developments and deploy it to fund strategic interventions that are intended to provide a greater benefit than currently is achieved dealing with matters on an

We operate a free-to-view policy, asking only that you register in order to read all of our content. Please login or register to view the rest of this article.

Register for freeORLog in

Visit us at mayerbrown.com

Mayer Brown is a global services provider comprising associated legal practices that are separate entities, including Mayer Brown LLP (Illinois, USA), Mayer Brown International LLP (England & Wales), Mayer Brown (a Hong Kong partnership) and Tauil & Chequer Advogados (a Brazilian law partnership) and non-legal service providers, which provide consultancy services (collectively, the "Mayer Brown Practices"). The Mayer Brown Practices are established in various jurisdictions and may be a legal person or a partnership. PK Wong & Nair LLC ("PKWN") is the constituent Singapore law practice of our licensed joint law venture in Singapore, Mayer Brown PK Wong & Nair Pte. Ltd. Details of the individual Mayer Brown Practices and PKWN can be found in the Legal Notices section of our website. "Mayer Brown" and the Mayer Brown logo are the trademarks of Mayer Brown.

© Copyright 2026. The Mayer Brown Practices. All rights reserved.

This Mayer Brown article provides information and comments on legal issues and developments of interest. The foregoing is not a comprehensive treatment of the subject matter covered and is not intended to provide legal advice. Readers should seek specific legal advice before taking any action with respect to the matters discussed herein.

View source

Related Articles

Legal Intelligence Newsletters: sign up for the latest legal and regulatory news on your chosen topics

Read more about

Related Comparative Guides

See more popular content from

Article

The EU Packaging And Packaging Waste Regulation Is Now Applicable: What Businesses Need To Know

The EU Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) became generally applicable on 12 August 2026, introducing comprehensive sustainability, labeling, and conformity requirements that affect businesses placing packaged products on the EU market. Companies exporting to the EU must now treat packaging as part of product compliance rather than simply a waste issue, with key obligations already in force despite many requirements being phased in through 2030. Businesses that have not yet assessed their packag
European UnionEnvironment
McDermott Will & Schulte
McDermott Will & Schulte
Article

EU Sustainability Omnibus Package: Key Changes And Implications For Businesses

The European Union has introduced a comprehensive Sustainability Omnibus Package that will significantly impact how businesses across member states approach environmental, social, and governance reporting. Understanding these regulatory changes is crucial for companies operating in or with the EU to ensure compliance and adapt their sustainability strategies accordingly.
European UnionEnvironment
Eversheds Sutherland
Eversheds Sutherland
Article

Rewilding And Carbon Credits: A New Income Stream For Landowners

As sustainability pressures mount and net-zero targets drive demand for carbon offsetting, UK landowners face a significant opportunity to generate income through carbon credit schemes. With the market contributing £1.2 billion to the UK economy in 2025 and carbon credits trading at £25-£35 per tonne, peatland restoration and woodland creation projects offer substantial returns while enhancing biodiversity and environmental protection.
United KingdomEnvironment
Withers LLP
Withers LLP
Article

ESOS Phase 4 Guidance Published: What Businesses Need To Know

The Environment Agency has released updated guidance for Phase 4 of the Energy Savings Opportunity Scheme (ESOS), introducing new reporting requirements and compliance changes. Organizations must now provide detailed information about implemented energy efficiency measures, including energy savings achieved and relevant categories, while Display Energy Certificates and Green Deal Assessments are no longer accepted as alternative compliance routes.
United KingdomEnvironment
Burges Salmon LLP
Burges Salmon LLP
Article

DOL Announces Enforcement Actions Against Employers In H-1B And PERM Fraud Probe

The Trump Administration has launched an unprecedented enforcement action suspending permanent labor certification processing for eight major employers, linking immigration sponsorship to layoff histories and recruitment practices. This development signals a fundamental shift in how the government evaluates employer access to H-1B and green card programs, with investigations already underway and subpoenas served.
United StatesEmployment and HR
Mayer Brown
Mayer Brown
Article

Landmark DoorDash Settlement Confirms NYC DCWP’s Aggressive Enforcement Posture

New York City's Department of Consumer and Worker Protection secured a landmark $131.5 million settlement with DoorDash, marking the largest worker settlement in the city's history and the largest involving food delivery workers nationwide. The agreement provides over $115 million in direct compensation to more than 260,000 delivery workers who were underpaid, unpaid, or paid late, while establishing a comprehensive three-year compliance monitoring program.
United StatesEmployment and HR
Mayer Brown
Mayer Brown
Article

Trump Administration Announces New Enforcement Actions Against Employers In H-1B And PERM Fraud Probes

The Trump Administration has launched an unprecedented investigation into H-1B visa and PERM labor certification programs, with the Department of Labor's Office of Inspector General issuing dozens of subpoenas and suspending employers' ability to process applications. Federal agencies are deploying new enforcement tools including whistleblower programs and criminal prosecution threats...
United StatesImmigration
Mayer Brown
Mayer Brown
Article

Contracting Opportunities And Challenges For Emerging Agentic AI Companies

Emerging providers of AI agents face unique contracting challenges as autonomous AI tools evolve beyond traditional SaaS models. This analysis examines critical issues in defining agent authority, structuring pricing models, calibrating warranties, and navigating regulatory uncertainty. How should providers balance customer expectations with the unpredictable nature of autonomous AI systems?
United StatesMedia, Telecoms, IT, Entertainment
Mayer Brown
Mayer Brown
Article

SEC Staff Statement On Fair Value Measurement And Disclosure Considerations For Private Assets

The SEC Staff has issued new guidance addressing fair value measurement and disclosure practices for private credit and other illiquid assets held by registered funds and business development companies. As private credit portfolios have grown nearly 60% since 2020, reaching $270 billion, regulators emphasize the critical importance of robust valuation methodologies, transparent disclosure of significant judgments, and careful application of accounting standards when market prices are unavailable.
United StatesAccounting and Audit
Mayer Brown
Mayer Brown