Green Infrastructure Ecosystem-based approaches Nature-based solutions Working with nature for people

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1 Green Infrastructure Ecosystem-based approaches Nature-based solutions Working with nature for people Karin Zaunberger Biodiversity Unit DG Environment European Commission APACHES ; Brussels, 19 March 2014 All (c) belong to the authors of the used material. MORE BIODIVERSITY - LESS CLIMATE CHANGE Flux of anthropogenic CO deforestation atmospheric CO2 ~4.1 ~2.8 land ocean Le Quéré, unpublished; Canadell et al. 2007, PNAS ~1.5 Sink CO2 flux (Pg y-1) ~7.6 Source fossil fuel emissions ~2.2 Time (y) 1

2 LESS BIODIVERSITY MORE CLIMATE CHANGE IMPACTS Germany June 2013 Near Brussels, Belgium 14 November 2010 Drought, Spain frequent! Mudslides, Sicily, Feb2010 Green Infrastructure: What is it? Green Infrastructure: a strategically planned network of natural and semi-natural areas with other environmental features designed and managed to deliver a wide range of ecosystem services. It incorporates green spaces (or blue if aquatic ecosystems are concerned) and other physical features in terrestrial (including coastal) and marine areas. On land, GI is present in rural and urban settings. Spatial structure delivering nature benefits to people Ø Contribution to Europe 2020 Strategy: promoting smart, sustainable and inclusive growth supporting a shift towards a resource efficient, low-carbon, sustainable economy by investing in our natural capital. 2

3 Green rooftops and walls Lower temperatures summer Increased temperatures winter (c 2 o C Toronto) Lower energy use/reduced emissions IMPROVE LOCAL MICROCLIMATE Remove 0.2 to 2 kg dust/m 2 Health benefit Reduce wind chill 75% Heating demand 25% Green rooftops and walls Lower runoff 100% summer 50% winter Example: New York City Green Infrastructure Plan: reduction of sewer overflows by more than 12 billion gallons/year by 2030 Improve water quality Lower flood risk Remove pollutants Improve (river) biodiversity Sequester carbon (375g/m 2 ) 3

4 Vancover Canada h"p://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/green_roof paris france San1ago de Chile Chile 4

5 Namba parks in Osaka. Half a shopping mall, half a park, with many places to hide away. Floods Floods are the most common and most costly natural disasters in Europe. Frequency likely to increase with climate change. Strategic long term and integrated flood risk management: prevention to increase resilience of society. Natural flood management becoming more important with increased recognition of its benefits 5

6 Costs of measures vs costs to society Costs of prevention, protection and preparedness can be substantial but so are the costs to society of the damage caused by floods! It make economic sense to select measures which have multiple benefits for society! Chose measures that are robust and flexible in context of climate change ( no-regret ). RECREATION GOODS e.g. TIMBER INCREASE QUALITY OF LIFE MITIGATION Trees & Green spaces Green roofs Green walls help to cope with hot weather through shading & evaporation cooling, SPACE FOR NATURE FLOOD PROTECTION help save energy 6

7 EU Adaptation Strategy (April 2013) Ecosystem-based approaches are usually cost-effective under different scenarios. They are easily accessible and provide multiple benefits, such as reduced flood risk, less soil erosion, improved water and air quality and reduced heat-island effect. The Commission will use multi-annual work programmes to define strategic goals and thematic priorities. Priority will be given to adaptation flagship projects that address key cross-sectoral, transregional and/or cross-border issues. Projects with demonstration and transferability potential will be encouraged, as will green infrastructure and ecosystem-based approaches to adaptation, and projects aiming to promote innovative adaptation technologies. Communication on Green Infrastructure (GI) Enhancing Europe s Natural Capital (May 2013) Ecosystem-based approaches are strategies and measures that harness the adaptive forces of nature. They are among the most widely applicable, economically viable and effective tools to combat the impacts of climate change. When appropriate, such approaches use GI solutions, because they use biodiversity and ecosystem services as part of an overall adaptation strategy to help people adapt to or mitigate the adverse effects of climate change. 7

8 Financing for Green Infrastructure: budget o Structural Funds/Cohesion Fund e.g. Ø GRABS: Green and blue space adaptation for urban areas and eco towns Ø SURF: GI - Sustainable Investments for the Benefit of Both People and Nature o CAP Funding o LIFE+: Brochure with 65 project examples from 17 MS o Other sources budget: o New opportunities mainly in ERDF, CF, CAP (pillar 1 and 2) Other sources: national governments, EIB, private banks, developers and civil society o e.g. development of a Natural Capital Financing Facility with EIB Research And Knowledge Base Assess the need and opportunities in the context of Horizon 2020 Review extent and quality of spatial and technical data available in relation to GI deployment Already available: Current work on Horizon 2020 (Challenge 5 and others) EEA reports on GI and territorial cohesion, fragmentation and upcoming on how to map multi-purpose GI Information available in Data Centres and CHMs (BISE, WISE ) Current working programs/management plans in relevant institutions Upcoming: Working meetings with relevant DGs, e.g. JRC, RTD, ESTAT, EEA and ETCs 8

9 GI promotion and best practice sharing Promote GI approaches in communication to citizens Developing dedicated IT platform Already available: Information material on website Facebook application, video, illustrations GI is de facto part of the Green Capital award BISE with GI platform currently being updated Brochure for the wider public Natura 2000 Newsletter 07/13 nature/info/pubs/ natura2000nl_en.htm Upcoming: Better integration into on-going communication measures and IT facilities, also from other DGs Possibly: Working Group on Implementation of GI Technical standards Assess the contribution technical standards could make to "growing the market" of GI products Already available: Currently screening of available standards within ISO, EMAS, COST, with ICLEI Upcoming: Working meetings with relevant DGs, e.g. ENTR, MARKT, JRC 9

10 Improve access to finance Exploring opportunities for setting up innovative financing mechanisms to support GI Already available: Current work on innovative financing mechanisms with ECFIN and EIB Upcoming: Work towards establishment of innovative financing facility with EIB by 2014 TEN-G Assess opportunities for developing an EU TEN-G initiatives Already available: Analysing projects which could serve as examples of trans-european GI Upcoming: Study to assess the opportunities for TEN-G, including assessment of costs and economic, social and environmental benefits by

11 Investing in ecosystem-based approaches - green infrastructure - investing in working with nature for people provides business and job opportunities contributes to green economy and sustainable development contributes to maintaining and restoring healthy ecosystems promotes creativity discover undiscovered solutions valorises traditional knowledge helps building trust and partnerships Conclusion Green Infrastructure - Ecosystem-based approaches to climate change adaptation and mitigation are cost-efficient and ready for use, bring multiple benefits, complement technological approaches, should be an integral part of the overall, adaptation and mitigation effort. Green Infrastructure development will contribute to integration and policy coherence 11

12 More information: