#United Kingdom #Jacobs #England #Natural England #Defra

Jacobs to Drive England's Ecosystem Survey

In a significant step toward enhancing environmental understanding and policy in the United Kingdom, Jacobs (NYSE: J) has been appointed by Natural England and the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (Defra). This collaboration aims to facilitate the collection and coordination of essential data through the England Ecosystem Survey. The project marks a foundational effort within the UK's Natural Capital and Ecosystem Assessment (NCEA) program, which seeks to establish a comprehensive baseline of the country’s natural assets by 2029.

Importance of the England Ecosystem Survey

The England Ecosystem Survey stands as a cornerstone for informing policy and land management decisions. By gathering national-scale data on soil, vegetation, and landscapes, Jacobs will contribute toward forming a robust evidence base necessary for understanding the health and changes within England's ecosystems. The initiative plays an integral role in supporting existing environmental frameworks and commitments aligned with the government’s 25 Year Environment Plan and broader biodiversity goals.

Jacobs will join forces with Southern Ecological Solutions, part of the RSK Group, to manage and execute field surveys across England. This collaboration will ensure that the surveys are conducted safely and adhere to Natural England's strict protocols, promoting consistency and reliability in the data collected.

Scope of Coordination

The range of responsibilities for Jacobs includes not only program management but also the procurement and oversight of survey contractors. The company will also handle logistics related to survey execution and land access coordination. A significant aspect of this role entails managing the interplay between various survey types and locations, ensuring that the data sets produced are aligned and can be utilized effectively at a national level.

Richard Sanderson, Jacobs' Executive Vice President, underlined the significance of quality data in environmental decision-making processes. "High-quality environmental decisions depend on consistent, reliable data," Sanderson noted. He emphasized that by coordinating survey delivery nationwide, Jacobs is assisting Natural England in building a solid evidence base that aids in monitoring ecosystem health and driving informed land and nature policies in the future.

This current initiative builds on Jacobs' extensive work with the England Ecosystem Survey, having previously undertaken soil sampling services since 2024. The survey itself is the largest of its kind in England, aimed at capturing a thorough overview of the condition, extent, and changes impacting the country’s terrestrial environment.

The data collected during this extensive survey will encompass important metrics such as habitats, vegetation types, landscape features, and soil properties, including both physical and chemical characteristics, and biological indicators. Such detailed data will be pivotal for conducting national-level ecosystem assessments and will inform the provisioning of critical ecosystem services, including food production and biodiversity preservation.

Collaboration in Environmental Goals

Natural England’s initiative to deliver the England Ecosystem Survey forms part of the broader NCEA program, working in tandem with entities like Forest Research, the Environment Agency, and the Joint Nature Conservation Committee. This program is categorized within the UK government's Major Projects Portfolio, directly contributing to the country’s overarching environmental ambitions and sustainability legislation. These initiatives represent an ongoing commitment to not only meet current environmental challenges but also strive towards net-zero goals, ensuring future generations inherit a healthy and sustainable environment.

At Jacobs, the mission revolves around questioning today to reinvent tomorrow. The company brings decades of expertise to tackle complex challenges related to advanced manufacturing, cities, environmental sustainability, and more. With nearly 43,000 employees and a revenue of around $12 billion annually, Jacobs emphasizes a commitment to creating value through social and economic resilience and enhancing the quality of life across communities.

This collaboration between Jacobs, Natural England, and Defra represents a significant move towards a more informed approach to environmental management and policy-making in the UK, shedding light on the pressing need for comprehensive data in fostering sustainable ecosystems.