NatLab;The Natural Infrastructure Innovative Financing Lab

The Philadelphia investments will support restoration and recreation of natural infiltration systems—green roofs, pervious pavement, wetlands, and other techniques—that mitigate stormwater runoff and reduce combined sewage overflow events, while introducing green jobs to lower-income communities. Outcomes of the pilot will include specific policy recommendations, potential financing structures for catalyzing private capital for natural infrastructure projects, and a final report for policymakers, water utilities, and other audiences to facilitate replication of the program in other cities.

Initial financing research published by NRDC and EKO suggests that there is a $370 million private investment opportunity. NatLab will provide a blueprint for Philadelphia to meet its natural infrastructure needs and for private investors to realize returns on these kinds of green investments.