Grey green infrastructure – the advantages of integration with natural resources

A World Bank Report, ‘Integrating Green and Grey” (2018) sets out the case for integrating ‘green and grey’ in terms of the setting today of climate change and of meeting United Nations Sustainable Development Goals as framework. There is of some relevance for the policy makers that be in Malta, which, as a ‘developed’ country, has its own specific targets built around EU Guidelines in terms of carbon dioxide emission reduction which include such relevance to the island as water conservation capabilities for instance, or, utilising the solar capacity as a naturally available renewable energy resource.

The traditional focus in developed countries – and Malta is no exception -  is almost exclusively human-built “grey” infrastructure, which puts costs at the higher end of that spectrum in terms of staying on track to limit global temperatures and reduce carbon dioxide emissions.

This challenge provides an incentive to take advantage of an opportunity we have always had:  using “green” systems such as forests, wetlands, and mangroves where relevant to complement gray infrastructure. Whilst such resources as mangroves are not relevant to Malta, still there is great potential in harnessing the power of nature, such as the tidal, wind and solar capabilities, with infrastructure services can be provided at a lower cost while delivering greater impact. 

Integrating nature into mainstream infrastructure systems can produce lower cost and more resilient services. Natural systems have long been recognised for their ability to deliver or contribute to core infrastructure services—water purification and storage, flood management, irrigation, and electricity generation. But, until now, there has been a lack of clear guidance on how to integrate green infrastructure into human-built projects so that they deliver better services at lower cost.

The report is essential reading for those responsible for delivering infrastructure services. Water and power utilities, storm and flood management agencies, and irrigation departments can use the guidelines to integrate natural approaches into their plans. Public officials can learn to how to enable green-gray infrastructure development through improved policies, laws, and regulations. Ministries of Finance and Budget can gain insights on how to approach financing, often a major barrier for infrastructure, by opening new financ-ing channels from mission-driven investors and governments.

The next generation of infrastructure can help drive economies and strengthen communities and the environment. But this needs governments, service providers, and development agencies to work together to amplify the benefits of natural solutions. We hope this report provides them with the inspiration and guidance to do just that.

The Report can be accessed here