Integration of Climate Data in the SAVi Nature-Based Infrastructure Model

The document details how authoritative climate data from the Copernicus CDS is integrated into the SAVi model for nature-based infrastructure. It provides a literature review on the impacts of precipitation, vegetation, and temperature on assets like green roofs, wetlands, and urban forests. The report demonstrates the model's application through simulations in Johannesburg, showing how temperature affects phosphorus removal in wetlands and how increasing vegetation cover can mitigate heat-related labor productivity losses.

• Green roofs demonstrate significant stormwater retention capabilities; in Chicago, they retained over 75% of a one-inch storm, and in Milwaukee, they can retain 85% of a two-inch downpour.
• Permeable pavement in typical US alleys can infiltrate 3 inches of rainwater from a 1-hour storm, with an expected infrastructure lifespan of 30 to 35 years.
• Urban trees provide measurable economic and environmental benefits, such as in Santa Monica, where 29,299 trees intercepted 193,168 m3 of annual rainfall, avoiding $110,890 in stormwater treatment and flood control costs ($3.60 per tree).
• Vegetation significantly reduces urban temperatures; for instance, a 30% vegetated area in Davis, California, can be cooler by 6°C during the day and retain warmth by 2°C at night.
• The efficiency of nutrient removal in constructed wetlands is temperature-dependent; for example, in Spain, removal efficiencies for TSS, COD, and ammonium were higher in summer (97.4%-97.8%, 97.1%-96.2%, and 99.9%-88.9%) than in winter (83.5%-74.4%, 73.2%-60.6%, and 19%-NA).
• Simulations for Johannesburg using the IPSL RCP8.5 scenario indicate that phosphorus (P) removal efficiency in wetlands increases with temperature, leading to a 12% increase in both the amount of P removed and the related avoided wastewater treatment costs compared to a no-impact scenario.
• In Johannesburg, temperature-related labor productivity impacts—defined as working in temperatures above 25°C—are projected to start occurring around 2050/2060 and become frequent after 2065.
• Increasing vegetation cover in Johannesburg can mitigate or postpone labor productivity losses; a 75% vegetation cover could potentially mitigate these impacts entirely.

APA

Perera, O., Bechauf, R., Casier, L., Lago, S., Perrette, M., Uzsoki, D., Wuennenberg, L., Bassi, A. M., & Pallaske, G. (2020). Integration of Climate Data in the SAVi Nature-Based Infrastructure Model. International Institute for Sustainable Development. https://www.iisd.org/system/files/2020-09/intregration-climate-data-savi-nature-based-infrastructure-model.pdf

Chicago

Perera, Oshani, Ronja Bechauf, Liesbeth Casier, Sergio Lago, Mahé Perrette, David Uzsoki, Laurin Wuennenberg, Andrea M. Bassi, and Georg Pallaske. Integration of Climate Data in the SAVi Nature-Based Infrastructure Model. International Institute for Sustainable Development, 2020. https://www.iisd.org/system/files/2020-09/intregration-climate-data-savi-nature-based-infrastructure-model.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |last1=Perera |first1=Oshani |last2=Bechauf |first2=Ronja |last3=Casier |first3=Liesbeth |last4=Lago |first4=Sergio |last5=Perrette |first5=Mahé |last6=Uzsoki |first6=David |last7=Wuennenberg |first7=Laurin |last8=Bassi |first8=Andrea M. |last9=Pallaske |first9=Georg |title=Integration of Climate Data in the SAVi Nature-Based Infrastructure Model |publisher=International Institute for Sustainable Development |date=September 2020 |url=https://www.iisd.org/system/files/2020-09/intregration-climate-data-savi-nature-based-infrastructure-model.pdf |access-date=23 October 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{perera2020integration, author = {Perera, Oshani and Bechauf, Ronja and Casier, Liesbeth and Lago, Sergio and Perrette, Mahé and Uzsoki, David and Wuennenberg, Laurin and Bassi, Andrea M. and Pallaske, Georg}, title = {{Integration of Climate Data in the SAVi Nature-Based Infrastructure Model}}, institution = {International Institute for Sustainable Development}, year = {2020}, month = sep, url = {https://www.iisd.org/system/files/2020-09/intregration-climate-data-savi-nature-based-infrastructure-model.pdf}, urldate = {2026-10-23}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }