Nature Investment Zone (NIZ) Registration Form

Section 1 - NIZ Identification

At this initial phase, the identification of potential Nature Investment Zones (NIZs) will be largely principles-led based on the essential concepts drawn from the Lawton principles, and driven by opportunity to deliver scaled impact, these are:

• Operating at Ecosystem Scale (linked to investible scale)
• Restarting Natural Processes
• Experienced Coalition Delivery

Initial NIZs will therefore be identified based on meaningful geographic scale facilitated by coalitions of the willing, demonstrating the potential to deliver at least 10,000 hectares of accumulated [current or future] Strategic Nature Network [SNN] Core Zone [nature protection and/or restoration areas whose explicit objective is to enable the future reinstatement of natural processes as the foundation for functioning, resilient ecosystems].

This also represents a minimum ‘adoptable’ component of the national Strategic Nature Network as a stand-alone NIZ which is that the proposed NIZ should fit to a useful, likely, strategic local government geography e.g. future Strategic Development Plan area.

It also increases the chances of delivering 'investible scale’ which is that each NIZ should meet minimum investible criteria of offering Ecosystem Service value of at least £200M – this to be tested as the Nature Infrastructure Financing Framework is developed with investor input [see section 3]. It is an area where more advanced potential NIZs should provide existing valuation information for mapping against landscape zoning.

In this way NIZ design should fit emerging international and national thinking about nature as, and therefore invested in as, infrastructure through bioregional scaled delivery and governance.

This early phase will rely on informed, evidence-based judgement, drawing on ecological knowledge, delivery experience, and local insight to ensure that proposed zones are aligned with the intent of ecosystem-scale restoration rather than fragmented habitat creation.

Section 2 - Modelling and System Design

Modelling and System design focuses on developing a robust evidence base to understand both nature-based solutions (NbS) potential and the true cost of delivery at ecosystem scale. This will be built both from compilation of data from potential NIZs and through stand-alone work in other task and finish groups.

This phase will include:

• Modelling ecological restoration potential and expected system outcomes across candidate NIZs;
• Developing long-term (up to 100-year) cost models, aligned with infrastructure investment and asset lifecycle planning, including costing in the reinstatement of natural processes, reconnecting landscapes and long-term stewardship requirements;
• Establishing standardised ecosystem-level accounting approaches capable of capturing ecological, resilience and economic benefits;
• Assessing the role of existing public finance alongside future blended finance pathways, identifying where public funding can de-risk and catalyse private investment.

The objective of this section is to move from conceptual opportunity toward quantified, comparable and decision-ready NIZ models.

Section 3 - Nature Infrastructure Financing Framework (NIFF)

This section translates validated NIZ models into an investor-informed financing architecture.

Rather than creating a single financing mechanism, the Nature Infrastructure Financing Framework (NIFF) will establish an interoperable system enabling multiple funding streams to operate coherently across all Nature Investment Zones.

This will:

• Develop standardised investment structures informed by infrastructure and institutional investors;
• Define consistent funding mechanisms operating at the NIZ level beneath the NIFF umbrella;
• Model financial flows across both individual NIZs and the wider Strategic Nature Network;
• Quantify ecological, resilience and economic benefits once delivery scales and investment requirements are established;
• Convert mature NIZ designs into replicable investment propositions capable of attracting long-term capital.
• Future NIZ establishment will require the demonstration of minimum criteria across legal, governance and delivery dimensions, ensuring that zones are investable, durable and capable of delivering long-term ecosystem function.

These criteria will be designed to evidence how natural processes are protected and reinstated in practice, how risks are governed and managed, and how delivery models can operate at scale with integrity.

This approach allows ambition and momentum in the short term, while building towards a robust, finance-ready framework over time.

Only Section 1 needs to be completed to submit your potential Nature Investment Zone registration. Those who are able can also provide information for Sections 2 and 3.

N.B While we are inviting registrations for potential Nature Investment Zones (NIZs), it is important to emphasise that inclusion will ultimately be guided by the principles of strategic spatial prioritisation. We recognise that many organisations and partnerships will have landscapes they are passionate about and would like to see included in the Strategic Nature Network. However, the purpose of the NIZ approach is to focus effort where it can deliver the greatest collective impact.

Priority will therefore be given to areas that are strategically important for nature recovery and ecological connectivity, and where there is a clear opportunity to align restoration potential with financing opportunities.

Registrations will play a vital role in identifying emerging opportunities and building a pipeline of interest, but the final prioritisation of NIZs will be informed by ecological evidence, spatial analysis, and the potential to mobilise coordinated investment at scale.

1. Ecosystem Scale Restoration

Please upload shapefiles which spatially identify:

• NIZ Boundary - the outline boundary of your prospective Nature Investment Zone
  
  
• The Core Zone – high biodiversity value land and sea – some of which may already be legally protected for its ecological value. This Zone will build on the International Finance Corporation’s Definition of Critical Habitat and the DEFRA definition of Areas of Particular Importance to Biodiversity (from the Local Nature Recovery Strategies) for designations of national and local value. The NIZ Developer has flexibility in what should be included within this, for example non statutory designated sites such as Local Wildlife Sites or eNGO led nature reserves may be included. The Core zone of a NIZ must be 10,000ha in size.
  
  
• The Restoration Zone – land, or sea, to be prioritised for nature restoration due to its location and potential for applying the Lawton Principles. The areas included must be feasible for nature recovery given funding is made available, and should represent strategic importance from a defragmentation priority.
• The Buffer Zone – areas where nature friendly farming should be encouraged to ensure ecological coherence in the NIZ. Development should be minimised in this area as it would reduce the overall value of the NIZ and the SNN (socially and economically) through limiting connectivity and climate adaptation.
  
  
• The Growth/Investment Zone – areas of development, business and industry where funds are generated through mandatory mitigation (biodiversity net gain, nutrient neutrality) and voluntary measures (carbon and biodiversity credits) to be channelled into NIZ investment projects.  

Every part of your NIZ boundary should be designated as one of the above, so there should be complete coverage.

This phase will include:

· Modelling ecological restoration potential and expected system outcomes across candidate NIZs;

· Developing long-term (up to 100-year) cost models, aligned with infrastructure investment and asset lifecycle planning;

· Costing the reinstatement of natural processes, landscape connectivity and long-term stewardship requirements;

· Establishing standardised ecosystem-level accounting approaches capable of capturing ecological, resilience and economic benefits;

· Assessing the role of existing public finance alongside future blended finance pathways, identifying where public funding can de-risk and catalyse private investment.