London, United Kingdom | February 22, 2026
Jacobs (NYSE: J) has been selected by Natural England and Department for Environment Food & Rural Affairs (Defra) to coordinate and deliver field services for the England Ecosystem Survey, a central component of the UK government’s Natural Capital and Ecosystem Assessment (NCEA) program.
The initiative aims to establish a comprehensive baseline of England’s natural assets — including land, freshwater and coastal ecosystems — by 2029.
National-Scale Environmental Data Collection
The Jacobs England Ecosystem Survey contract will support the collection of national-scale soil, vegetation and landscape data to inform environmental policy and land management decisions.
Jacobs will collaborate with Southern Ecological Solutions, part of RSK Group, to coordinate survey teams and contractors across England.
Scope of services includes:
- Program management
- Procurement and oversight of survey contractors
- Survey logistics and land access coordination
- Management of dependencies between survey types and locations
The contract is expected to commence immediately and conclude in the first half of 2027.
Building a National Evidence Base
The England Ecosystem Survey is the largest field survey of its kind in England. It will collect extensive data on:
- Habitats and vegetation
- Landscape features
- Soil properties, including physical and chemical characteristics
- Biological indicators
The resulting datasets will support ecosystem assessments at a national scale and inform policy decisions related to biodiversity, food production, and ecosystem services.
Richard Sanderson, Executive Vice President at Jacobs, emphasized the importance of reliable environmental data in shaping policy and tracking ecosystem change over time.
Part of the UK’s Natural Capital Strategy
The England Ecosystem Survey is delivered by Natural England as part of Defra’s Natural Capital and Ecosystem Assessment (NCEA) program.
Key partners in the NCEA program include:
- Forest Research
- Environment Agency
- Joint Nature Conservation Committee
- Royal Botanic Gardens Kew
The NCEA program is included in the UK government’s Major Projects Portfolio and supports national environmental objectives, including commitments under the 25 Year Environment Plan, international biodiversity frameworks, and net-zero targets.
Jacobs’ UK Footprint
Jacobs employs more than 5,000 people across the UK, operating from 15 core offices and over 35 additional sites. The company delivers advisory, planning, design, and lifecycle management services across infrastructure, environmental, transportation, and energy sectors.
With approximately $12 billion in annual revenue and nearly 43,000 employees globally, Jacobs continues to expand its environmental and sustainability portfolio.
Strategic Significance
The Jacobs England Ecosystem Survey appointment strengthens the company’s role in national environmental data programs and highlights the growing importance of natural capital accounting in public policy.
By coordinating standardized, high-quality field data collection at scale, Jacobs will help create the foundational evidence required for informed environmental governance and long-term land management planning across England.
