Green Infrastructure

What is Green Infrastructure?

Green Infrastructure serves the interests of both people and nature. It can be defined as a strategically planned and delivered network of high quality green spaces and other environmental features. It should be designed and managed as a multifunctional resource capable of delivering a wide range of benefits and services. Green Infrastructure includes natural and semi-natural areas, features and green spaces in rural and urban, terrestrial, freshwater, coastal and marine areas. Areas protected as Natura 2000 sites are at the core of Green Infrastructure.

The underlying principle of Green Infrastructure is that the same area of land can frequently offer multiple benefits. By enhancing Green Infrastructure, valuable landscape features can be maintained or created, which are not only valuable for biodiversity but also contribute to the delivery of ecosystem services such as the provision of clean water, productive soil, attractive recreational areas as well as climate change mitigation and adaptation. In addition, Green Infrastructure can sometimes be a cost-effective alternative or be complementary to grey infrastructure and intensive land use change.

→ more background on Green Infrastructure

For illustrations of the Green Infrastructure concept click here.

An EU-wide strategy on Green Infrastructure

In May 2011, the European Commission adopted an ambitious Biodiversity Strategy which aims to halt the loss of biodiversity in the EU by 2020. Target 2 of this Strategy states that ‘by 2020, ecosystems and their services are maintained and enhanced by establishing green infrastructure and restoring at least 15% of degraded ecosystems’.

To achieve this target three closely related actions are foreseen:

Improve knowledge of ecosystems and their services in the EU (Action 5)
Development of a Green infrastructure Strategy (Action 6)
Ensure no net loss of biodiversity and ecosystem services (Action 7)

Action 6 of the Biodiversity Strategy in particular foresees that the Commission will : ‘develop a Green Infrastructure Strategy by 2012 to promote the deployment of green infrastructure in the EU in urban and rural areas, including through incentives to encourage up-front investments in green infrastructure projects and the maintenance of ecosystem services, for example through better targeted use of EU funding streams and Public Private Partnerships’.

Public consultation

The European Commission had convened a Working Group, which contributed to the development of a European Green Infrastructure policy and provided concrete recommendations.

Two major conferences on Green Infrastructure were organised in 2009 and 2010.

Studies on Green Infrastructure

To assist in the preparation of the Green infrastructure Strategy, DG ENV has commissioned a series of study contracts:

Commission funded studies:

EEA Reports:

	Landscape Fragmentation in Europe (2011) : this report presents the extent of landscape fragmentation across an entire continent using a scientifically sound method. It also reveals the most relevant driving forces behind fragmentation, demonstrating that varying factors are relevant in different parts of Europe
	Green Infrastructure and territorial cohesion (2011) : This report explores the concept of green infrastructure, with illustrative examples of green infrastructure initiatives on the ground and further analyses of the integration of green infrastructure into policy sectors. It provides examples of monitoring systems/spatial information that can be utilised for spatial planning of green infrastructure at national and regional levels, and closes with exploitable opportunities and conclusions.

LIFE projects for Green Infrastructure

LIFE building up Europe’sgreen infrastructure

A number of LIFE projects are also contributing to establishing Green infrastructure. Project examples have been collected and analysed in a LIFE-Focus brochure.

For further information on other relevant Green Infrastructure documents – visit the EC CircaBC site.

Mapping & assessment of ecosystems and their services

Action 5 of the Biodiversity Strategy aims to improve our knowledge of ecosystems and their services within the EU. In particular the Commission will assist the Member States to map and assess the state of ecosystems and services in their national territory by 2014.

In February 2012, the Commission established a Working Group on 'Mapping and Assessment of Ecosystems and their Services' to assist it in its work.

No Net loss of biodiversity and ecosystem services

Action 7 of the Biodiversity Strategy calls on the Commission to carry out further work to ensure there is no net loss of biodiversity and ecosystem services (eg through compensation or offsetting schemes). This work is closely linked to, and supportive of, the work being undertaken for developing the Green Infrastructure Strategy.

In February 2012, the Commission established a Working Group on 'No Net Loss of Ecosystems and their Services' to assist it in its work.

→ Call for expression of interest in participating in the Working Group on No Net Loss of Ecosystems and their Services