Linking climate change mitigation and adaptation through coastal green–gray infrastructure: a perspective

Abstract

ABSTRACT The role of coastal blue carbon ecosystems in climate mitigation and adaptation efforts has been recognized. Blue carbon ecosystem functionality is one component of coastal nature-based or green–gray infrastructure multifunctionality, which includes contributions by nature to disaster risk reduction, infrastructure resilience, erosion control, land formation, and other ecosystem services. Here we review how green infrastructure and nature-based solutions in coastal and shallow nearshore areas can contribute to blue climate change mitigation and adaptation. We then summarize available coastal infrastructure types (green, gray, and green–gray hybrid) in terms of their inherent functions and potential co-benefits. We discuss technologies for integrating gray and green infrastructure and producing hybrid infrastructure to promote implementation of measures for both climate change and infrastructure development, although the best infrastructure type is dependent on the risks of a given time and locality. Collaboration among engineers, scientists, and economists who are interested in climate change or infrastructure and in emerging fields such as blue carbon and green infrastructure are needed to further enhance the implementation of multifunctional infrastructure, but the multifunctionality benefits should be quantified and monetized.