The Green Infrastructure is a policy document at EU level with a multi-sectoral approach. The timeframe of the policy 7 years, covering the period of 2014 – 2020. This policy aims at integrating natural processes in relevant EU policy areas, including regional development, climate change adaptation and mitigation, agriculture and forestry, disaster prevention, water quality and quantity, flood management, waste water treatment, health, in order to safeguard ecosystems and ecosystem services for human well-being. Therefore, this policy lays down green infrastructure strategies for providing ecological, economic and social benefits through natural solutions to maintain its contribution to regional policy and sustainable growth in Europe and facilitate smart and sustainable growth. Ecosystem services will be maintained in an integrated manner through green infrastructure, including access to sustainable, safe and nutritional food. School children will be educated relating to urban food production and community gardens and the interest of young people will be engaged in the production and consumption of food. Green infrastructure will be deployed in forestry management to reduce forest fragmentation and degradation, restore degraded forests, improve the conservation status of species and habitats, and help improve the provision of related ecosystem services. Data collection systems will be developed to promote green infrastructure solutions in spatial planning and decision-making processes in relation to infrastructure. Research studies will be conducted to improve the understanding of the links between biodiversity and the condition of the ecosystem, and its capacity to deliver ecosystem services. The application of innovative green infrastructure will be encouraged, taking into account the social, health and security/resilience benefits of ecosystem services. The skills and competences of people engaged in green infrastructure will be increased to enable them to move to an innovative approach. The awareness will be raised among key stakeholder groups on green infrastructure and best practices will be promoted, including developing a dedicated IT platform for exchanging information. Financial support will be provided to the private sector to attract their investments to the biodiversity-related and green infrastructure projects. The regional and urban development will be strengthened through green infrastructure investments. Marine spatial planning and integrated coastal zone management will be strengthened to promote sustainable coastal zone management and multiple ecosystem services in the marine environment. Land use in agriculture and forestry will be improved by restoring soil functions and reducing the loss of ecosystem services associated with future land take. Wastewater treatment will be improved by developing innovative multi-benefit, highly efficient and cost-effective green solutions. Climate change adaptation and mitigation will be strengthened by using biodiversity and ecosystem services as part of an overall adaptation strategy. Therefore, additional guidance will be provided for authorities and decision-makers, civil society, private business and conservation practitioners on ensuring the full implementation of ecosystem-based approaches to adaptation. Green infrastructure initiatives will be maintained in the agriculture and forestry sectors to mitigate carbon emissions. Disaster risk reduction and management will be strengthened, with an emphasis on floods, landslides, avalanches, forest fires, storms and wave surges. Ecosystem-based disaster risk reduction strategies will be implemented to provide benefits for innovative risk management approaches, adapting to climate change-related risks, maintaining sustainable livelihoods and fostering green growth. River basin management will be developed through green infrastructure to deliver good water quality, mitigate the effects of hydro-morphological pressures and reduce the impacts of floods and droughts. Moreover, agro-environmental measures will be taken in the field of water to prevent the loss of life and property due to soil erosion and mud floods.
2013-05-06