Nature-Based Solutions in Europe: Policy, Knowledge and Practice for Climate Change Adaptation and Disaster Risk Reduction
EEA Report No 1/2021
- Publication
- Citation
Castellari,S and Davis, M (2021). “Global and European policy frameworks”. Nature-based solutions in Europe: Policy, knowledge and practice for climate change adaptation and disaster risk reduction. EEA Report No 1/2021.
Climate change, biodiversity loss and degradation of ecosystems are linked and all have devastating consequences for our economic and social stability, health and well-being. Working with nature is increasingly recognised as an efficient way to tackle these growing challenges, according the new European Environment Agency (EEA) report 'Nature-based solutions in Europe: Policy, knowledge and practice for climate change adaptation and disaster risk reduction.'
This EEA report, which Ecologic Institute's McKenna Davis co-authored, provides up-to-date information for policymakers on the how to apply nature-based solutions for climate change adaptation and disaster risk reduction and at the same time making use of multiple societal benefits that these solutions can bring. Drawing on selected examples across Europe, the report shows how impacts of extreme weather and climate-related events are already tackled in this way. It also assesses global and European policies and how nature-based solutions are increasingly being integrated in the efforts to shift towards sustainable development.
How nature can protect us
Many countries are already restoring nature in river valleys and uplands to reduce downstream flooding risks. In coastal regions, natural vegetation helps to stabilise coastlines, while re-forestation is increasingly used for storing carbon. Nature is also brought back into cities by greening urban spaces or reopening old canals or rivers, which increases resilience to heatwaves and brings additional health and wellbeing benefits. Despite their increasing prominence, nature-based solutions could be mainstreamed further, the report notes.
Other key findings of the report
- An EU-wide mapping of existing and potential nature-based solutions can help to identify priority areas for enhancing ecosystem services and addressing climate change and biodiversity loss concerns.
- Agreed standards, quantitative targets, measurable indicators and evaluation tools for nature-based solutions at EU level can help to assess progress, effectiveness and multiple benefits.
- As nature-based solutions depend on healthy ecosystems, which are themselves vulnerable to climate change, their potential for climate change adaptation and disaster risk reduction may decline in the future.
- Stakeholder involvement, dialogue and co-design of tools and measures are key to increase awareness, to resolve potential stakeholders' conflicts and to create social acceptance and demand for nature-based solutions.
- Further implementation of nature-based solutions to climate change adaptation and disaster risk reduction in Europe requires development of technical standards, increased knowledge of potential trade-offs, collaborative governance, capacity building and sufficient funding.
Contact
- Language
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English
- Authorship
- Credits
Lead authors
Sergio Castellari (EEA), Marianne Zandersen (ETC/CCA; Aarhus University and Aarhus University Interdisciplinary Centre for Climate Change, iClimate), McKenna Davis (European Topic Centre on Biological Diversity, ETC/BD, and Ecologic Institute), Clara Veerkamp (ETC/CCA and PBL Netherlands Environmental Assessment Agency), Johannes Förster (ETC/CCA and Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research — UFZ), Mika Marttunen (ETC/CCA and Finnish Environment Institute, SYKE), Jaroslav Mysiak (ETC/CCA and Euro-Mediterranean Centre on Climate Change, CMCC and Ca' Foscari University Venice), Marie Vandewalle (ETC/CCA and Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research — UFZ), Silvia Medri (ETC/CCA and CMCC), José Ramón Picatoste (EEA
- Funding
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European Environment Agency (EEA), International - Published by
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European Environment Agency (EEA), International - Year
- Dimension
- 164 pp.
- ISBN
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978-92-9480-362-7
- ISSN
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1977-844
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- Table of contents
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Click to show full table of contents
- Keywords
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nature-based solutions, cities, urban, governance, innovation, transition, disaster risk reduction, green infrastructure, ecosystem-based management, sustainable forest management, natural water retention measures, EUEurope
Discussion:Nature-based Solutions and Multi-level Governance for Carbon-neutral and Resilient Cities and Regions
- Date
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- Location
- Katowice, Poland
Digital Event:Urban Nature-based Solutions in Germany – experiences, successes and future challenges – Expert workshop
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- online
Davis, McKenna, et al., 2021. Urban Nature: A Shared Solution to The Climate And Biodiversity Crises?
Kopsieker L., Gerritsen E., Stainforth T., Lucic A., Costa Domingo G., Naumann S., Röschel L. and Davis M. (2021) "Nature-based solutions and their socio-economic benefits for Europe's recovery: Enhancing the uptake of nature-based solutions across EU policies". Policy briefing
English version: Iwaszuk, E., Rudik, G., Duin, L., Mederake, L., Davis, M., Naumann, S., Wagner, I., 2019: Addressing Climate Change in Cities. Catalogue of Urban Nature-Based Solutions. Ecologic Institute, the Sendzimir Foundation: Berlin, Krakow.
Polish version: Iwaszuk, E., Rudik, G., Duin, L., Mederake, L., Davis, M., Naumann, S., Wagner, I., 2019: Błękitno-zielona
infrastruktura dla łagodzenia zmian klimatu w miastach. Katalog techniczny. Ecologic Institute, Fundacja Sendzimira: Berlin, Krakow.
Naumann, S., Davis, M., Iwaszuk, E., Freundt, M., Mederake, L., 2020: Addressing climate change in cities – Policy instruments to promote urban nature-based solutions. Ecologic Institute, the Sendzimir Foundation: Berlin, Krakow.
Naumann, S., Davis, M., Iwaszuk, E., Freundt, M., Mederake, L., 2020: Błękitno-zielona infrastruktura dla łagodzenia zmian klimatu w miastach. Narzędzia strategiczne. Ecologic Institute, Fundacja Sendzimira: Berlin, Krakow.
Knoblauch et al. (2019). Multi-level policy framework for sustainable urban development and nature-based solutions -- Status quo, gaps and oppor-tunities. Deliverable 1.2, CLEVER Cities, H2020 grant no. 776604.
Green market opportunities and business policies for urban nature-based solutions. Factsheet 2, CLEVER Cities, H2020 grant no. 776604.
Grimes, Clara and McKenna Davis (eds.) 2019: Key Barriers to and Factors for Improving the Successful Implementation of Nature-based Solutions. Factsheet 1. European Union's Horizon 2020 innovation action programme under grant agreement No 776604.
Ecologic Institute 2018: Urban Nature Atlas – NATURVATION. URL: https://naturvation.eu/atlas