On the 6th February the Nature Markets Dialogue (NMD) hosted the first workshop of 2025. Professionals drawn from across the demand, supply and operational sides of nature markets met to continue the discussion of the critical need for robust governance. The workshop built on 12 months of effort to convene a consensus around the future for nature market development, rooted in the belief that by working together we can reach the best possible outcome. Government is engaged and listening, at a crucial moment for environmental policy development, so we were delighted so many knowledgeable individuals joined us to pool their experience and expertise. The session was characterised by both a realism that these issues have been under discussion for some time and there has been some disappointment along the way, and by a strong sense of optimism that we will eventually secure market integrity in the UK. Perhaps inspired by the ideas in the NMD Governance Paper or by the healthy turnout of professionals prepared to collaborate, 61% of attendees counted themselves as positive that our goals will be achieved. The purpose of the event was to workshop answers to the NMD Governance Consultation , which remains open to everyone until the 28th February. From the 15 questions, six were identified as being of particular interest via a pre-meeting poll. Those six were subject to rigorous discussion in smaller breakout groups, as the attendees helped shape and form each other’s responses. The true outcome of this process will be recorded in the responses to the consultation itself , but the workshop highlighted some key themes that are sure to come out in the conclusions: The need for government leadership and action The need to learn from existing good practice at home and abroad The vital importance of the government’s new Land Use Framework consultation A clear focus on nature recovery at all times The significance of data platforms and emerging technologies The results of this consultation will build towards a governance framework that the NMD will propose to government at a future Ministerial roundtable. Everyone at the Broadway Initiative is extremely grateful to all participants, and to Bruce Howard from the Ecosystems Knowledge Network who so ably facilitated the workshop.

At a time of significant change in UK environmental policy making, the Broadway Initiative's ' Nature Markets Dialogue ' (NMD) is seeking your views on how investment in nature is governed. Your responses will help shape our approach to Government, as we plan to propose a governance framework for high integrity nature markets. To that end, you are invited to share feedback on the latest consultation paper: Towards a governance framework for high integrity nature markets. The consultation paper has been informed by the feedback, roundtables and online workshops that NMD participants have supported over the past 12 months. A key message from the Dialogue to date is that well-designed and governed nature markets are first and foremost about providing an efficient mechanism for the delivery of verified improvements to the natural environment. Nature markets can deliver improvements to meet voluntary or regulated obligations, provide insets for supply chains and offsetting for development, and efficiently deliver government investment in nature. This is a vital moment for environmental policy development: the Environmental Improvement Plan is under review and revision; the Cunliffe Commission and the Planning Reform Working Paper on Development and Nature Recovery are seeking evidence; and we expect the Government will soon consult on the governance of Voluntary Carbon and Nature Markets. We have a unique opportunity to highlight the need for a robust UK governance mechanism that ensures UK nature markets are high integrity and make a significant contribution to nature’s recovery. We have created an online portal to obtain your feedback and views here, where we have 15 specific questions on which we would value your thoughts . In addition, we will be hosting a series of workshops in the coming weeks to progress the Dialogue around the issues raised in the paper. The process will culminate in a roundtable to present the results and recommendations to Ministers. Find out more about the UK Nature Markets Dialogue .