Nature‐Based Solutions for Europe's Sustainable Development

Abstract

Pursuing economic targets of job creation, growth, and innovation while tackling global environmental challenges, has long been seen as impossible. However, any long-term economic competitiveness and security depends on the extent to which natural resources are used sustainably. Therefore, the European Union is investing in nature-based solutions to achieve this double goal. The difference between the prevailing economic model and a sustainable resource use has long seemed insurmountable. While many debates are paralyzed or radicalized, nature-based solutions could offer a transition path with realistic, incremental steps toward a sustainable economy as envisaged by the EU Horizon 2020 vision. This paper outlines the basics of a nature-based scenario for Europe, and proposes criteria to focus, guide, and evaluate the implementation of nature-based solutions, geared at production of wide socioeconomic benefits, provision of jobs, and low-carbon technology innovations.

Nature-based solutions to address global societal challenges

“…IUCN actively promoted the NbS concept in its 2009 position paper on the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) COP 15, and in 2012 IUCN formally adopted NbS as one of the three areas of work within its 2013-2016 Programme. For its part, the European Commission has made NbS part of its Horizon 2020 Research and Innovation Programme and is investing in a series of projects to strengthen the evidence base on NbS (Maes & Jacobs, 2015). Part B of this report describes a small fraction of the many and varied practical applications of the NbS concept in developed and emerging economies around the world.…”

“…(see Maes & Jacobs, 2015) analysed (e.g. Ecosystem Approach and its principles, Ecosystem Services approach, the original list of principles for NbS in the 2013-2016 IUCN Programme (IUCN, 2013b) and others (Woodhouse et al, 2015).…”

Nature-Based Solutions and Climate Change – Four Shades of Green

“…In preparation of the programme, a working group of scientists and policy makers elaborated on the concept (EC 2015, Annex 1:24). In short, Maes and Jacobs (2015:3) defined NbS "as any transition to a use of ecosystem services with decreased input of non-renewable natural capital and increased investment in renewable natural processes".…”

“…Biodiversity conservation and enhancement of ecosystem services are considered as the basis for finding solutions to major challenges, ranging from climate change and disaster risk reduction to addressing poverty and promoting a green economy. The goal to simultaneously further economic growth and sustainability via NbS has been particularly stressed by the European Commission (Maes andJacobs 2015, EC 2016).…”

“…lists 310 actions as examples of NbS, ranging from the protection and expansion of forest areas to capture gaseous pollutants, planting wind breaks for soil conservation to the protection of urban green spaces or planting of green roofs for various benefits such promotion of biodiversity, carbon storage and stormwater retention. Despite this breadth of concept, Eggermont et al (2015) and Maes and Jacobs (2015) distinguished NbS from conventional engineering approaches for being multifunctional, conserving and adding to the stock of natural capital, and being adaptable and contributing to the overall resilience of landscapes.…”