The Nordic NBS policy handbook provides advice and suggestions for approaches to develop policies aiming at mainstreaming and upscaling the use of nature-based solutions (NBS). It is mainly targeted toward policy- and decision-makers at local, regional, or national levels in the Nordic region, yet other actors such as the private sector and organisations can also find relevant inputs and examples. The handbook can serve as both an inspiration and a source of practical tips and insights. The handbook may also be useful to anyone who is interested in learning more about policies supporting NBS.
Why nature-based solutions?
The world, including the Nordic region, is currently facing two parallel and interlinked crises: climate change and loss of nature and biodiversity. A changing climate in combination with land use change is accelerating the loss of key species and habitats. Climate mitigation and adaptation actions must focus on a range of solutions that target climate neutrality, building resilience, contributing to biodiversity and human health, and social capacity building. NBS have been developed as a concept building on ecosystem-based approaches, including green infrastructure and ecosystem services. NBS are considered important elements in the efforts to address key societal challenges related to the climate crisis and accelerating loss of biodiversity.
NBS are defined by the United Nations (UN) as “actions to protect, conserve, restore, sustainably use and manage natural or modified terrestrial, freshwater, coastal and marine ecosystems which address social, economic and environmental challenges effectively and adaptively, while simultaneously providing human wellbeing, ecosystem services, resilience and biodiversity benefits” (UNEP, 2022a).
While the term might be new to some readers, concepts such as nature protection, sustainable management of natural resources and supporting different functions of nature, are closely related to NBS. For example, a strategy for planting and protecting urban trees can contribute to climate adaptation as trees can help infiltrate stormwater, provide shade and protection against wind and noise. Trees, when planted to provide ecological value can also contribute to urban biodiversity enhancement by providing habitats for insects and other species. In addition, increasing access to urban trees can be beneficial for human health and wellbeing as it can provide recreational areas and aesthetic values. Some concepts, such as ecosystem services can be criticised for viewing nature mainly as a resource or service provider for humans. However, with respect to NBS, it is an inherent part of the definition that they also need to benefit nature and biodiversity.
Why a policy handbook for the Nordic countries?
NBS require joint efforts across disciplines, sectors, and governance levels to deliver a range of co-benefits. Although NBS have been recognised as contributing to international climate and biodiversity goals (European Commission, n.d.a; CBD Secretariat, n.d.), the concept is still not widely used in all Nordic countries. Obstacles such as lack of knowledge on how to design NBS, uncertainties about their performance, lack of funding, weak collaboration with stakeholders, lack of sufficient regulations and governance practices are some of the challenges that can hinder mainstreaming of NBS. Well-designed policies and targeted policy instruments are needed to accelerate the uptake of NBS and build an evidence base of their performance.
The Nordic vision is to become the most sustainable and integrated region in the world by 2030 (Nordic Co-operation, 2019). The Nordic countries already have a good foundation of policies and instruments facilitating nature and biodiversity protection and key solutions to build on. This potential is quickly developing. While there are differences between the Nordic countries in terms of governance systems and legislations, there are also many common prerequisites. Existing policies that support NBS in the Nordic countries show that there is much to learn from each other, such as the development of climate adaptation strategies, building knowledge and capacity, financing of NBS, as well as integrating NBS in policy and planning. Network Nature has also established a Nordic Hub as a platform for exchanging knowledge and experiences contributing to addressing local barriers to NBS, which is administered by the coordinator of the Nordic Council of Ministers' Nature-based solutions programme in the Nordic region.
What to expect from the handbook?
The Nordic policy handbook is about NBS and effective policies to support, mainstream and upscale them. It presents examples of existing policies, legislation and policy instruments that are already supporting or have the potential to support wider NBS implementation. Potential users in public administrations and other experts in the Nordics have been consulted during the development of the handbook. The handbook summarises practices and provides examples that the readers can learn from and be inspired by across countries, nature types, sectors, and governance levels.