Evidence

This study of over 1,000 Scandinavian women found that higher levels of green space exposure reduced overall symptoms of pre-menstrual syndrome, especially anxiety, depression, bloating and breast tenderness. It concluded that living in greener areas may be beneficial against PMS symptoms.

This UN report sets out the rationale for using nature-based solutions in climate change mitigation. It gives an overview of what is meant by ‘nature-based solutions’, examples of what such solutions could entail, and outlines the potential of nature-based solutions to mitigate climate change.

Climate change is the single biggest health threat facing humanity, and health professionals worldwide are already responding to the health harms caused by this unfolding crisis. This fact sheet presents the key facts and health risks associated with global climate change.

This Royal Horticultural Society report demonstrates the vast potential of the ornamental horticulture industry to contribute to a green economy in the UK and provides arguments for investment in and expansion of horticulture.

This report details the state of trees and woodland globally, including identifying at-risk species and threats from climate change.

This report provides an evidence-based overview of the impact of increasing the extent of UK’s hedgerow network by 40% – for nature, climate and the economy. It makes recommendations on how the government, local authorities, farmers and land managers can maximise the potential of hedgerows.

This London-centred report argues for the value of investment in green infrastructure and outlines the different benefits that it can provide – from environmental factors such as improving air quality and mitigating the urban heat island, to social benefits such as providing opportunities to use green social prescribing.

A summary of systematic reviews. The comparisons of different green spaces indicate that there is no one single space type that works best. For blue spaces, few high-quality papers were available, with little systematic variation in the type of blue space exposure. The report also discusses the role of access to green and blue spaces, as a refuge for people to relax and socially interact, in the context of Covid-19.

This report looks at the state of the urban environment and reports on various environmental factors, such as biodiversity, air pollution, natural capital and climate change.

Summarises benefits of tree planting, from monetary, to falling crime, to flood defence. Costed benefits mean this is a useful financial tool. For example, Greater Manchester’s trees benefit the local economy by over £30m per year, through air pollution filtration, storm water attenuation, and carbon sequestration.