Retrofit Information, Support and Expertise – or RISE (the Government backed support service for housing providers looking to carry out retrofit on their properties) has launched a brand new and free training Masterclass for 2025, focusing on biodiversity net gain.

The ‘Biodiversity Net Gain in Housing’ event walks through the basics of biodiversity net gain in relation to landlords. It will explore what biodiversity net gain means to housing providers, and the role biodiversity can play in helping a provider meet their planning requirements, their net zero goals, and their wider environmental and community commitments. It also takes a practical look at how domestic retrofit can be approached to support biodiversity net gain.

Gareth Field, one of RISE’s sector experts, has been instrumental in developing the new Masterclass:

“In the Biodiversity Net Gain in Housing Masterclass, we explore how housing providers can achieve the 10% biodiversity net gain that planning now requires, and also how they can use biodiversity positive approaches to help them reach their net zero targets.

“The Masterclass will share lots of practical guidance – starting with the simple first steps that can make a real difference. By thinking about how to protect the nature that already exists in and around the house for example, or making sure that when new technologies like heat pumps are installed, no established hedges, trees or green spaces are compromised, housing providers can make a really strong start towards their 10% net gain.”

After a sellout first Masterclass on this topic in early January, there is still chance to book onto a second session, to be held online at 12pm on 3rd March 2025. As with all RISE events, this is completely free, and open to all. Click here to book