Volume: 2, 2023
2nd International PhD Student’s Conference at the University of Life Sciences in Lublin, Poland:
ENVIRONMENT – PLANT – ANIMAL – PRODUCT
Abstract number: E011
DOI: https://doi.org/10.24326/ICDSUPL2.E011
Published online: 19 April 2023
ICDSUPL, 2, E011 (2023)
Nature-based solutions for local and regional adaptation in the context of European agenda
Maria Dubovik1*, Laura Wendling1, Carmen Antuña Rozado1, Kristen Jakstis2, Leonie K. Fischer2, Arto Laikari1, Kaisa Mustajärvi3
1 VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland Ltd., P.O. Box 1000, 02044 VTT, Finland
2 University of Stuttgart, Institut für Landschaftsplanung und Ökologie, Keplerstr. 11, D-70049 Stuttgart, Germany
3 City of Tampere, Aleksis Kiven Katu 14-16, 33100 Tampere, Finland
* Corresponding author: maria.dubovik@vtt.fi
Abstract
Adapting to the impacts of climate change, conserving and restoring biodiversity, and ensuring a socially just transition are amongst the priority topics in the current EU development agenda. Nature-based solutions (NBS) have emerged as an umbrella concept that combines social and economic benefits with sustainable development and conservation strategies, and they are widely recognised for their climate change adaptation, biodiversity enhancement and disaster risk reduction potential. The Urban Nature Labs (UNaLab) Horizon 2020 project aimed to establish a framework for NBS implementation and replication in urban areas. UNaLab and similar projects sought to contribute to the European evidence base on NBS by systematising their performance using key indicators of NBS performance and impact, defined in the collaboratively prepared report Evaluating the impact of nature-based solutions – A handbook for practitioners (Dumitru & Wendling, 2021). The newly initiated Horizon Europe project Regions4Climate aims to collaboratively develop and demonstrate a socially-just transition to climate resilience at regional scale. The adaptation to the impacts of climate change through implementation of NBS or hybrid blue-green-grey infrastructure must be supported by a robust planning action, including involvement of stakeholders and clear indicators of NBS performance and impact. This is supported by the results of the UNaLab project, such as the survey on citizen perception of green and blue public spaces which highlights the importance of accessible green and blue spaces both in everyday life and during times of crisis. Stakeholders, their preferences, and regional and cultural differences should be included in the co-design of urban green and blue spaces to maximize their potential for both people and nature. At the same time, municipalities and regions are required to meet local, national and international policy objectives and applicable technical specifications, thus, NBS impact indicators must align with applicable national and international policy instruments and technical standards to effectively increase urban and regional resilience to climate change. The present study discusses the aspects that must be considered for NBS upscaling and replication in line with the EU agenda, capitalises on the UNaLab project findings and explores the existing policy context for mainstreaming the integration of NBS with existing infrastructure and processes to ensure sustainable, smart and just adaptation.
How to cite
M. Dubovik, L. Wendling, C.A. Rozado, K. Jakstis, L.K. Fischer, A. Laikari, K. Mustajärvi, 2023. Nature-based solutions for local and regional adaptation in the context of European agenda. In: 2nd International PhD Student’s Conference at the University of Life Sciences in Lublin, Poland: Environment – Plant – Animal – Product. https://doi.org/10.24326/ICDSUPL2.E011