IGNITION: Nature-based solutions to the climate emergency in Greater Manchester

IGNITION is a ground-breaking project that aims to develop innovative financing solutions for investment in Greater Manchester’s natural environment. This investment will help to build the city region’s ability to adapt to the increasingly extreme impacts of climate change.

This project, backed by €4.5 million from the EU’s Urban Innovation Actions (UIA) initiative, brings together 12 partners from local government, universities, NGOs and business to develop the new innovative financing and delivery mechanisms that cities and urban areas need to respond to the risks posed by increasingly rapidly changing climate. The aim is to develop the first model of its kind that enables major investment in large-scale environmental projects which can increase climate resilience.

Nature-based solutions to the climate emergency: The Benefits to business and society’ report is the first business-facing resource created by the IGNITION project, produced in partnership with UK Green Building Council (UKGBC) and Greater Manchester Combined Authorities (GMCA).

Nature-based Solutions (NBS)

The report presents findings that outlines how Nature-based Solutions (NBS) can benefit business and building performance; helping organisations make smarter choices on installations by increasing the understanding of who will benefit and how.

These nature-based solutions, such as rain gardens, street trees, green roofs and walls will help to tackle the socio-environmental challenges, including an increase in flooding events, water security,  will also help to improve air quality, the visibility of the region, increase the level of biodiversity within an urban environment and help to improve the health and well-being of citizens.

The report maps the benefits of NBS across key impact areas: Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation; Resource Use; Nature and Biodiversity; Health and Wellbeing; and Socio-economic Impact.

Partners will identify sites within Greater Manchester where natural capital climate adaptation projects can manage urban flood and overheating risks.

The value of Nature-based Solutions (NBS)

The IGNITION project and the solutions it develops have a far wider relevance than Greater Manchester and potential start to draw the greenprint for cities everywhere to fund and deliver the natural environment resilience solutions we all need.

This IGNITION evidence base acts as a central evidence repository of existing and emerging evidence. The evidence base currently covers the multiple-benefits of:

• Green walls
• Street trees
• Urban green space
• Green roofs
• Sustainable drainage systems (SuDS).

The IGNITION nature-based solutions evidence base and supporting documents are available to download here

Nature-based solutions to the climate emergency: The benefits to business and society’ report is available to download below.