Green infrastructure

Topics: Biodiversity — Ecosystems

This page was archived on 27 Feb 2023 with reason: No more updates will be done

Green infrastructure networks consist of strategically planned natural and man-made green structures, designed to deliver a wide range of ecosystem services. These services include water and air purification, space for recreation and climate mitigation and adaptation. Below you will find our content about green infrastructure.

Biodiversity — Ecosystems

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Building a coherent Trans-European Nature Network

02 Jul 2020

Despite a strong policy framework and significant efforts by Member States (MSs) to halt biodiversity loss and ecosystem degradation in Europe, the conservation status of protected species and habitats continues to decline along with the provision of ecosystem services. The new EU biodiversity strategy to 2030 addresses this decline with a plan to ‘build a truly coherent Trans-European Nature Network’. This will be built on the existing Natura 2000 network by analysing the potential connectivity between Natura 2000 sites using green infrastructure (GI) landscape elements important for delivering ecosystem services.

Tools to support green infrastructure planning and ecosystem restoration

27 Mar 2019

Green infrastructure is a strategically planned network of natural and semi-natural areas, which include other environmental features designed and managed to deliver a wide range of ecosystem services. These include water purification, air quality, space for recreation and climate mitigation and adaptation. This network of green (land) and blue (water) spaces can improve environmental conditions and therefore citizens' health and quality of life. It also supports a green economy, creates job opportunities and enhances biodiversity. To maximise the benefits it provides, GI should be an essential component of spatial and physical planning. Developing GI is a key step towards successfully implementing the EU 2020 biodiversity strategy. Target 2 of the strategy requires that ‘by 2020, ecosystems and their services are maintained and enhanced by establishing green infrastructure and restoring at least 15 % of degraded ecosystems.’