Agenda item 4.B Green Infrastructure CGBN Co-ordination Group for Biodiversity and Nature 8 th meeting – 22/06/10

Green Infrastructure Sources: M. Külvik, K. Sepp IGBE/BIM Carles Castell Europ. Commission

Green Infrastructure Why involvement of European Commission? >> Green Infrastructure to be one of main tools to fight loss of biodiversity in Europe Source: info/pubs/docs/nat2000newsl/nat27_es.pdf

Green Infrastructure EU's post-2010 biodiversity policy: HEADLINE TARGET Halting the loss of biodiversity and the degradation of ecosystem services in the EU by 2020, and restoring them in so far as feasible, while stepping up the EU contribution to averting global biodiversity loss Possible Subtargets Sub-target 1: Integration and sustainable use of resources Sub-target 2: Overexploitation Sub-target 3: Fragmentation and Green Infrastructure Sub-target 4: Invasive Species Sub-target 5: Nature Conservation Sub-target 6+(7): Contribution to global biodiversity

Green Infrastructure until now: in EU policy: The white paper on climate change (mitigation and) adaptation asks for working with Green Infrastructure. in further implementation of the Nature Directives: Robust multi-functional system of protected and unprotected green areas to strengthen ecosystems resilience and enable migration, dispersal and genetic exchange of wild species (Art. 10 HD) Art. 1, 3, 4, 6, 10, 18 and Annex III of Habitats Directive; Guidance notes, Art. 3 and 4 of Birds Directive

Green Infrastructure in EU's post-2010 biodiversity policy: Planned Strategy on Green Infrastructure in 2011 integration into wider EU policies Regional policy, urban policies CAP Marine and Water policy Climate policy Better planning: SEA/EIA and liability directive integration into funding sources above policies EIB, EBRD research LIFE private funding

Green Infrastructure Response to ecosystem and habitat fragmentation mostly through land-use changes (intensification, abandonment, urban sprawl) +transport/energy infrastructure Consists in natural and man-made elements (such as reforestation zones, green bridges, green roofs and walls, fish migration channels, green urban areas, high nature value farmland or forest areas). Ensures efficient and sustainable use of land by integrating interacting functions or activities on the same piece of land. Maintains ecological coherence as essential condition for healthy ecosystems, which are vital to ensure that the functional elements of ecosystems can continue to interact, both between themselves and with their physical environment.

Multiple purpose/scale example: Floodplain forest Local scale: enhancing recreation area, planting trees harbouring key species of healthy floodplain ecosystems Regional scale: connecting ecological networks, increasing their coherence. Timber production, limitation of pesticides inflow, stops soil erosion National or river basin scale: increasing flood retention capability Biogeographical or global scale: carbon storage function, climate change resilience Restoration as part of lower Danube flood risk mitigation scheme: €180 million. Compares very favourably to the €400 million damages caused by floods in this region in 2005 alone

Green Infrastructure not connectivity only! Ecosystems and habitats: fragmentation mostly through land-use changes+transport/energy infrastructure and intensification "Green Infrastructure“: tool and structure >> Giving space to ecosystems >> maintain and create landscape features which guarantee that ecosystems continue to deliver their services such as provision of clean water, productive soils attractive recreational areas contribute to natural mitigation of and adaptation to climate change

Green Infrastructure giving space to ecosystems maintaining ecological coherence strengthening the functionality of ecosystems for delivering goods and services mitigating and adapting to climate change effects, for acting as barriers against erosion, and for enhancing the quality of life (health, tourism, conserving historic and cultural heritage) ensuring efficient and sustainable use of land multifunctional use for greening transport and energy financial investments possible, "bankable term"

BISE Data source use: Natura 2000 as one core element of Green Infrastructure Green urban areas within urban morphological zones (2000), EEA

Green Infrastructure: Priorities 1: Making the concept operational common understanding, aims agreed and benefits realised 2: Integrating it into other policies synergies with other policy areas, instruments, responsibilities 3: Developing coherent approach to spatial planning strategic, sustainable planning: multi-scale approach 4: Explore funding possibilities TEEB. Take use of funding revisions. New partnerships 5: Link to international agenda CBD work – COP10 in Nagoya

Further information: Natura 2000 Newsletter Article on Green Infrastructure sl/nat27_es.pdf Factsheet LIFE Focus brochure on EU-funded best practice cases efocus/documents/green_infra.pdf Green Week 2010 (1-4 June 10):