The climate benefits, co-benefits, and trade-offs of green infrastructure: A systematic literature review

Climate change increases risks to natural and human systems. Green infrastructure (GI) has been increasingly recognized as a promising nature-based solution for climate change adaptation, mitigation, and other societal objectives for sustainable development. Although the climate contribution of GI has been extensively addressed in the literature, the linkages between the climate benefits and associated co-benefits and trade-offs remain unclear. We systematically reviewed the evidence from 141 papers, focusing on their climate benefits, relevant co-benefits and trade-offs, and the GI types that provide such climate (co-)benefits. This study presents a comprehensive overview of the links between climate benefits, co-benefits and types of GI, categorized along a green-grey continuum so that researchers/practitioners can find information according to their topic of interest. We further provide an analysis of trade-offs between various GI benefits. 'Bundles' of major co-benefits and trade-offs for each climate benefit can be identified with recommendations for strategies to maximize benefits and minimize trade-offs. To promote climate-resilient pathways through GI, it is crucial for decision-makers to identify opportunities to deliver multiple ecosystem services and benefits while recognizing disservices and trade-offs that need to be avoided or managed.

Automated summary

Climate change poses risks to natural and human systems, prompting the need for solutions such as green infrastructure (GI). While the climate benefits of GI have been studied extensively, the connections between these benefits, co-benefits, and trade-offs remain unclear. This study systematically reviews evidence from 141 papers to provide a comprehensive overview of these linkages, categorizing GI types along a green-grey continuum for easy access by researchers and practitioners. Furthermore, the analysis includes recommendations for maximizing benefits and minimizing trade-offs to promote climate-resilient pathways through GI.