GI assets can improve environmental quality by reducing air, noise and water pollution, help to moderate wind speed and excessive heat and also provide shading from the harmful effects of the sun. An integrated GI network can help mitigate the effects of climate change on a local scale, for example by reducing water run off, absorbing carbon and linking habitat areas to form networks of sites which are more robust to change.  Public access through GI, such as footpaths and cycle routes, will lessen dependency on cars and reduce carbon use. Wood fuel could be grown and harvested to heat local community buildings.