Green infrastructure and flood management. Promoting cost-efficient flood risk reduction via green infrastructure solutions.

The EEA report delineates how environmentally friendly options can bolster defences against river flooding. Four selected green infrastructure measures (GI) measures and the two grey infrastructure measures are reviewed in the case study areas: the Elbe in Germany, the Rhône in France, the Scheldt in Belgium and the Vistula in Poland The analysis provides insights into the cost-efficiency of the selected flood protection measures.

The Member States involved have employed GI measures, mainly de-poldering, restoring wetland areas and restoring floodplains over the years reaching similar conclusions: greener solutions bring about greater benefits and often have lower costs.