Abstract
The contributions of green infrastructure (GI) to human well-being have been widely recognised; however, pathways for its systematic implementation are missing. Local governments can play a crucial role in the conservation of GI, and a formal recognition of this role in budgeting systems would foster the inclusion of GI in their agenda. The aim of this study is to identify the principal components of GI at the local level to form a basis for a compensatory economic scheme. We identified the principal components of GI based on the mapping of biodiversity conservation and ecosystem services provision. Furthermore, we analysed the potentiality of an incentive mechanism to promote GI based on the protection status of GI. Finally, an incentive mechanism to promote GI at the municipality level was proposed. The results showed that the GI of Biscay is mainly composed of the natural forests presented in the area, and that 50% of the principal components of the GI are not protected. Furthermore, one third of the protected principal components of the GI only has protection at the municipality level. So, we propose a Payment for Ecosystem Services (PES)-like scheme at the municipality level based on the cover of natural forests, where the objective is the conservation and promotion of the GI.
Highlights
The environmental problems that humanity faces due to the Global Change have become a relevant concern for decision-makers all over the world, as social and political modifications are needed to ensure life support functions and human well-being [1,2,3]
The results have showed that only half of the principal components of the green infrastructure (GI) described are inside areas where a protection figure exists
Our results have showed that municipalities play an important role in the protection and conservation of the GI, as one third of the protected principal components of the GI of Biscay only has protection at the municipality level
Summary
The environmental problems that humanity faces due to the Global Change have become a relevant concern for decision-makers all over the world, as social and political modifications are needed to ensure life support functions and human well-being [1,2,3]. This has given rise to the inclusion of sustainable development as a major objective in political agendas. Since the concept of sustainable development first became a major concern, a number of methods, frameworks, and tools have been developed to achieve that objective In this context, the Millennium Ecosystem Assessment (MEA) [4] has played an important role. The MEA established an innovative framework that links changes in ecosystems and human well-being through the so-called ecosystem services (ES)
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