21 September 2015: The European Environment Agency (EEA) has published a report highlighting the potential of green infrastructure in mitigating the impacts of weather- and climate change-related natural hazards. The report, titled ‘Exploring Nature-Based Solutions: The Role of Green Infrastructure in Mitigating the Impacts of Weather- and Climate Change-Related Natural Hazards,’ notes the definition of “green infrastructure” as “a strategically planned network of high-quality green spaces.”

The report points out that, while governments and other investors have automatically looked to traditional “grey” infrastructure solutions, such as roads and sewage systems, to solve problems in the past, natural processes or “green infrastructure,” such as forests, wetlands and other natural ecosystems, are emerging as new and often cheaper approaches.

The report focuses on exploring and demonstrating how green infrastructure contributes to mitigating the adverse effects of extreme weather- and climate-related events, particularly certain types of extreme events and natural hazards, such as landslides, avalanches, floods and storm surges, that are projected to be exacerbated by ongoing climate change.

It outlines the multiple benefits of green infrastructure, such as noise reduction, increased carbon sequestration, recreation opportunities and clean water. In contrast, it points out that grey infrastructure usually fulfills single functions such as drainage or transport. [EEA Press Release] [Publication: Exploring Nature-Based Solutions: The Role of Green Infrastructure in Mitigating the Impacts of Weather- and Climate Change-Related Natural Hazards]