Mainstreaming and scaling-up evidence-based Nature-Based Solutions towards a nature positive and climate-resilient economy

Expected Outcome:

Project results are expected to contribute to all the following expected outcomes:

• better understanding and communication of environmental, social and economic impacts of Nature-based Solutions (NbS)^[1] is available for stakeholders across sectors, building on and enhancing existing knowledge systems, databases, and impact assessment frameworks;
• policymakers at different levels are able to more systemically integrate NbS across policy domains - such as energy, built environment, water management and transport - enabling systemic approaches to conserve, protect, restore and sustainably use ecosystems, strengthen climate resilience and maximise cost-effectiveness;
• scientifically credible, robust and policy-aligned evidence and projections (including from EO and modelling) are provided for practitioners and decision-makers on the long-term effectiveness of implemented NbS across terrestrial, freshwater and marine ecosystems (including urban) under diverse climate scenarios. This includes understanding how factors such as vegetation growth, health, and variety, the deterioration of engineered materials, cost-effectiveness, and maintenance requirements evolve over time, supporting the wider adoption and policy integration of NbS;
• enhanced practitioners’ capacity to design, co-create and implement NbS that incorporate adaptive management to minimise unintended and unforeseen consequences in the face of economic, societal and climatic changes, compared to conventional interventions.

Scope:

Proposals should thrive to equip policymakers and practitioners with robust evidence, knowledge and practice on NbS. When implemented at scale, and following a credible design and implementation approach thriving for ecosystem integrity and connectivity, NbS can deliver significant benefits and reduced costs.

This topic aims to contribute to the evidence base on the role of NbS in a nature positive and climate resilience society. It supports climate adaptation and mitigation strategies, that ensure long-term economic security and opportunities, respect planetary boundaries and address climate uncertainties. This calls for a systematic integration of NbS across sectors and policy levels. Proposals are encouraged to apply a multi-actor approach to engage with actors from research, policy and practice, as well as SSH disciplines, to support the above-mentioned systemic NbS integration and evidence-based decision-making, and produce meaningful and significant effects enhancing the societal impact of the related research activities

Proposals should enable the scaling up and mainstreaming of NbS, aligning with key policies, including the European Green Deal, the EU biodiversity strategy for 2030, the Climate Adaptation Strategy, the EU Climate Adaptation Plan, the EU Forest Strategy, the Preparedness Union Strategy, the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF) notably targets 2, 8, and 11, the EU water and marine acquis, the European Water Resilience Strategy and the European Ocean Pact.

Proposals should:

• co-design, develop and implement large scale pilots and/or interconnected NbS, following a land/sea-scape approach to ensure positive measurable outcomes and addressing multiple challenges, prioritising climate adaptation and mitigation, water resilience, and creating new economic opportunities, while addressing biodiversity loss. Where relevant, links should also be made to opportunities for disaster risk and air pollution reduction;
• advance methods to assess the long-term viability of NbS, ensuring that the knowledge gained is integrated into policy, infrastructure, and spatial planning while respecting socio-economic and ecological thresholds;
• facilitate effective collaboration and knowledge transfer among researchers, practitioners, policymakers, public authorities as well as SSH disciplines to support evidence-based decision-making, making use of relevant existing platforms and, where possible, expanding beyond the European context;
• develop and synthesise knowledge and tools to better assess and mitigate the potential unintended consequences and risks associated with the implementation of NbS;
• assess environmental, social and economic impacts of NbS, building on existing knowledge and frameworks, and analyse the mechanisms to scale these solutions.

Proposals should seek to address some knowledge gaps identified by the relevant IPBES assessments and if appropriate provide recommendations to policy makers. Applicants should create synergies with and build on results of other EU-funded NbS projects. To this end, proposals should include dedicated tasks and appropriate resources for coordination measures, including the collaboration with the EU NbS Task Forces. Proposals may include financial support to third parties (FSTP) to facilitate active and supportive involvement of actors, experts and institutions.

Proposals should foresee appropriate resources to ensure close cooperation with the EC Knowledge Centre for Biodiversity (KCBD) and its Science Service.

[1] Nature-based Solutions are multilaterally defined as actions aimed at protecting, conserving, restoring, and sustainably managing natural or modified terrestrial, freshwater, coastal, and marine ecosystems, which address social, economic and environmental challenges effectively and adaptively, while simultaneously providing human well-being, ecosystem services, resilience and biodiversity benefits (UNEA 5.2).