The guide to multi-benefit cohesion policy investments in nature and green infrastructure

This SMART Guide to multi-benefit Cohesion Policy investments in nature and green infrastructure is the initiative of European Commission's Directorate General (DG) for Regional and Urban Policy, in consultation with DG Environment, to help with the Cohesion Policy design and implementation across the EU. It was developed by the Institute for European Environmental Policy (IEEP) and Milieu Ltd. The mounting evidence of the multiple benefits from nature and how these can help meet Cohesion Policy objectives has led to an increased interest in understanding how Cohesion Policy and its tools can be used to obtain synergies and multiple benefits. Key questions the Guide aims to answer: What are the values of nature and how are they important for Cohesion Policy objectives? How can Cohesion Policy tools and approaches be used to enable current and secure future multi-benefits from nature? What can we learn from practical experiences to inform regional development? The Guide is directed at helping with on-going implementation of Cohesion Policy 2007-2013, as well as form a useful toolkit and information source for the development and implementation of Cohesion Policy 2014-2020.