This domain will initiate and sustain dialogue among the various stakeholders (private and public sector, architects, practitioners, policy maker), on nature-based solutions in the context of degraded ecosystems restoration. The dialogue will address the expanding resource needs for land within Europe and how to prioritize agriculture, forestry, energy, transport and industry. The role of combined efforts in this field as well as innovative techniques for restoring and reclaiming land, such as soil fertility restoration techniques. The benefits of restoring ecosystems using green infrastructure and the role of restoration in increasing resilience and adapting to climate change as well as contributing to human wellbeing. Methods for robust monitoring of the performance and assessment of the impact of deployed NBS will be examined.
Vision-Based Decision-Making Methodology for Riparian Forest Restoration and Flood Protection Using Nature-Based Solutions
Nature-based solutions (NBS) are actions that use natural processes in a resource efficient manner to solve societal challenges. The lack of supportive legislature, and financial, communication and social barriers complicate the process of NBS implementation. It is an urgent need to develop approaches to design and implement NBS that would act as drivers to overcome potential barriers and enhance the social acceptability of the project.
CHALLENGE OR OPPORTUNITY?
The European Dredging Association (EuDA) participated in a Horizon 2020 project sponsored by the European Union. The project named ThinkNature had as objective to promote the application of nature-based solutions (NBS). NBS have obvious advantages but have not been embraced at wider scale. In this article, the authors reflect as to why NBS are not mainstream solutions, why it is necessary to promote the concept and whether there are barriers that hinder wide-scale application. In this article the authors describe how relevant the topic is to the dredging community.
Think Nature-based Solutions
This article was published at the Project Repository Journal (Oct/ Nov 2019 – Volume 3, pages 56-59) [link]. The article summarizes all the achievements of the ThinkNature project with links on the exploitable results and the deliverables that can be found on the ThinkNature Platform.
THINKNATURE HANDBOOK
This Handbook has been developed in the framework of the ThinkNature project. Its main objective is to gather and promote state-of-the-art knowledge regarding Nature-Based Solutions (NBS), comprising a comprehensive guide to all relevant actors. To this end, each aspect of NBS is investigated, from project development to financing and policy making, and is presented in a concise and comprehensive way, in order to be easily understandable. Regarding the EU agenda around NBS, this Handbook contributes to:
Using Co-creation to Stimulate Transition for Implementing NBS - ThinkNature Webinar 4
This document concerns the second presentation about "Using Co-creation to Stimulate Transition for Implementing NBS: Shared Governance, Spatial Challenges and Environmental Policies", presented by Israa Mahmoud during the fourth ThinkNature webinar at 5/6/2019 about "Governance Models for NBS: Policies, Strategies and Decision Making Mechanisms".
Discussion Q&A, C. de Luca, I. Mahmoud, FORTH - ThinkNature Webinar 4
This recording concerns the discussion and Q&A section during the fourth ThinkNature webinar at 5/6/2019 about "Governance Models for NBS: Policies, Strategies and Decision Making Mechanisms". This webinar invited policy makers, decision makers, end users and authorities from all levels (states, regions, municipalities, etc.) to discover the aspect of governance as to NBS and learn about the policy and decision making framework concerning NBS.
Using Co-creation to Stimulate Transition for Implementing NBS, I. Mahmoud - ThinkNature Webinar 4
This recording concerns the second presentation about "Using Co-creation to Stimulate Transition for Implementing NBS: Shared Governance, Spatial Challenges and Environmental Policies", presented by Israa Mahmoud during the fourth ThinkNature webinar at 5/6/2019 about "Governance Models for NBS: Policies, Strategies and Decision Making Mechanisms".
Interview with EU policy officer Josefine Enfedaque about NBS
Josefina Enfedaque is Policy Officer about Biodiversity, Ecosystem Services and Public Engagement in Nature-Based Solutions of European Commission (DG Research & Innovation).
Interview included the following questions:
- What are Nature-Based Solutions or NBS?
- What barriers to NBS implementation exist in Europe currently?
- What solutions could there be for overcoming these barriers?
- How optimistic are you about the future?
- What is your key message about NBS?
Interview with Victor Beumer, Consultant on Urban Nature-based Solutions
Victor Beumer is Cluster Manager for Hybrid Green & Grey Infrastructure at EU Water Platform (WssTp).
Interview included the following questions:
- Do you think business will lead the way in making NBS mainstream?
- What business culture change is needed?
- What advise would you give to an individual trying to promote NBS within their business?
- How cost-effective are NBS in relation to conventional solutions?
- What is your final message regarding NBS and business?
Interview with Ricardo Garcia Mira on Nature-based Solutions
Ricardo Garcia Mira is Professor in University of A Coruna, Department of Psychology and Director of People-Environment Research Group.
Interview included the following questions:
- What is your background in the research of Nature-Based Solutions?
- How do NBS offer new ways to meet existing challenges?
- Are you finding gaps in research that may hinder the propagation of NBS?
- What is the key message regarding governance and NBS?