What is green infrastructure?

The National Planning Policy Framework defines green infrastructure as:

"A network of multi-functional green and blue spaces and other natural features, urban and rural, which is capable of delivering a wide range of environmental, economic, health and wellbeing benefits for nature, climate, local and wider communities and prosperity."

This network includes familiar features such as street trees, parks, gardens, wildlife areas, waterways and sustainable drainage systems which benefit our day-to-day life.

How the Green Infrastructure Framework (GIF) can help you

The Green Infrastructure Framework has been created by Natural England (with input from policy makers, local authorities, academics, industry experts, and business) to provide clear guidance to support the greening of England's towns and cities, and developments.

The framework aims to support better planning for good quality green infrastructure (GI) and help target the creation or improvement of GI where it is needed most, to deliver environmental, economic, health and wellbeing benefits, for nature, climate, local and wider communities. It is designed to help local planners, developers, parks and greenspace managers and communities plan GI strategically to deliver multiple benefits for people and nature.

The Framework offers five key resources:

• GI Principles: Underpin the approach and help make the case for good GI.
• GI Standards: Define what good green infrastructure looks like for various users.
• GI Mapping: Provides free mapping layers to help target investment.
• GI Planning and Design Guide: Offers practical guidance alongside national design codes.
• GI Supporting tools: Help to demonstrate wider benefits through the Environmental Benefits from Nature Tool (EBNT).

When used together, these resources can help ensure everyone benefits from good green infrastructure provision and help inspire the creation of healthier, nature-rich, climate resilient and thriving green places to live, learn, work and play.

How the GIF works with other initiatives

The Green Infrastructure Framework (GIF) complements Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) by helping users design accessible, multifunctional green spaces where communities and nature can thrive.

Whilst BNG is mandatory and biodiversity-focused, the GI Framework is voluntary and aims to deliver broader environmental, health and climate benefits for people and nature.

Most GI features count toward BNG calculations, creating a mutually beneficial relationship and the framework can help these habitats deliver broader benefits.

The GI Framework's Urban Greening Factor also sets targets for urban areas that complement BNG requirements. The Environmental Benefits from Nature Tool works with both GI and BNG to help consider wider benefits of project design.

Local Nature Recovery Strategies use green infrastructure to boost urban nature conservation. Green infrastructure connects wildlife areas across urban, coastal, and rural landscapes as part of the Nature Recovery Network. The Framework's Urban Nature Recovery Standard helps create and restore wildlife-rich habitats, supporting local authorities in meeting their biodiversity duties.

The Green Infrastructure Mapping Database identifies key areas for nature recovery and wildlife corridors, directly informing Local Nature Recovery Strategies.