9. Advice for policy development

This chapter presents the advice for policies related to nature-based solutions (NBS). All the cross-cutting advice is included in their entirety in this TemaNord report. The specific advice can be found in the online handbook, but an overview of the advice and related examples with links to the handbook are included in the table in chapter 9.2.

Visit the online handbook: www.nbspolicy.org/all-advice/

9.1 Cross-cutting policy advice

The advice applies to policies for NBS across most sectors, societal challenges and governance levels. The cross-cutting advice is quite broad and is often based on findings and recommendations from other projects in the Nordic NBS programme as well as gaps and opportunities identified in stakeholder consultations. The cross-cutting advice concerns five key aspects of policy development for NBS:

Education, capacity building and awareness raising for nature-based solutions

Raising awareness and building knowledge about NBS is crucial for their implementation and can be done in many ways, from children’s education to capacity building among practitioners. While access to information does not promote action by itself, it is an important stepping stone for NBS implementation.

Advice

Education and capacity building are necessary tools to promote NBS and ensure that NBS are taken from the idea stage to actual implementation.

Educational efforts can be promoted through engagement in NBS activities by schools and youth, pupils and students, and providing training programs for public administration personnel and contractors. Skills and knowledge on natural processes needs to be applied to ensure knowledge of quality and functioning of NBS.

Raising awareness through information campaigns, integration of NBS principles into strategies and plans, and introduction of support schemes are also among the ways to promote NBS. Awareness can increase the knowledge and care for nature that also promote support for NBS (Catalano, Campiotti & Baldacchini, 2021).

Capacity building through well-known approaches such as courses, written and oral guidance and assistance programs as well as through direct NBS monitoring and evaluation can increase knowledge of the terms and principles connected to NBS. Knowledge and skills related to NBS can empower local communities to establish and maintain NBS.

Iterative learning is promoted as part of NBS by embedding feedback cycles of knowledge within the NBS processes. This way, evidence and knowledge created in the NBS planning can be brought in during the implementation process, knowledge from the implementation can be used in the monitoring phase, and so on. This means that building of awareness and competences continues throughout the implementation and use phase of NBS.

Context

As the Nordics face multiple societal challenges - climate change, ecosystem degradation and natural disasters - there is a growing need for educated professionals with green skills who can seek and facilitate sustainable and functioning solutions. Working with NBS requires additional understanding of natural processes and ecosystems, and creating NBS without such considerations can lead to unintended effects or low-quality solutions. The need for increasing education on NBS in all education levels, supporting capacity-building, and awareness raising are emphasised among the findings and recommendations from previous Nordic NBS projects.

While it is well known that information alone does not motivate people to act on environmental and social issues, awareness and capacity building serve as important stepping stones toward action. NBS provide a solution-focused angle on environmental issues, with the potential to engage both professionals and civil society if presented in a constructive way. This can reduce lack of awareness of natural processes and change attitudes toward the use of conventional, grey solutions.

Many also point towards the need for a resurrection of people’s connection to nature at a societal level. Both in A-DVICE stakeholder consultations and other studies (e.g., Barkved et al., 2024; Welden et al., 2021), it is mentioned that awareness and engagement for NBS is connected to our general relationship with nature and creating positive visions for the future. This may also include changing common perceptions of how green spaces should look like and creating acceptance for “messy” nature in urban settings. In line with this thinking, many people are used to parks having tidy green lawns and straight paths with hard surfaces and when this is challenged it can create some resistance toward NBS. However, raising awareness of the benefits of for example, flower meadows and dead wood in forests, can create better understanding and acceptance (Bergesenstiftelsen, 2022). The Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES) highlights the need to think of nature’s value not only as something humans live from, but also living with, in and as nature (Pascual et al., 2022). NBS can contribute to reducing our alienation from nature and help us realise the interconnectedness of all ecosystems and species.

Useful conciderations

Different stakeholders need different angles on education and awareness-raising, and initiatives should be specifically targeted towards specific stakeholder groups.
While there is already access to much information and knowledge about NBS, even more can be promoted. However, legal requirements to consider the use of NBS to address societal problems are also needed in order to provide incentives for stakeholders to seek this.
Lack of awareness, experience or understanding of the benefits of NBS can lead to a view that NBS are too costly or not as effective as other solutions – educational efforts should focus on economic aspects as well as practical.
Promote awareness building and education across diverse knowledge fields, ranging from natural and social sciences to indigenous and traditional knowledge.

Highlighted international goals and obligations

Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, target 21, Ensure That Knowledge Is Available and Accessible To Guide Biodiversity Action:
“Ensure that the best available data, information and knowledge, are accessible to decision makers, practitioners and the public to guide effective and equitable governance, integrated and participatory management of biodiversity, and to strengthen communication, awareness-raising, education, monitoring, research and knowledge management and, also in this context, traditional knowledge, innovations, practices and technologies of indigenous peoples and local communities should only be accessed with their free, prior and informed consent, in accordance with national legislation”.

SDG 4 Quality Education: “Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all”.

General references for this advice

IUCN, 2020; Welden at al., 2021; van der Jagt, 2023

Learn more

Integrating Nature-based Solutions in Education: Unlocking the Potential of Transformative Learning for Sustainability: https://networknature.eu/product/29478

Conexus key learning factsheet series - Skills Gaps for Nature-based Solutions uptake in Europe and Latin America: https://networknature.eu/product/31768

Nature-based Solutions professional certificate on IUCN Global Standard - 5th edition: https://iucn.org/events/coursetraining/nature-based-solutions-professional-certificate-iucn-global-standardtm-5th

Guidance for using the IUCN Global Standard for Nature-based Solutions - first edition: https://doi.org/10.2305/iucn.ch.2020.09.en

Financing and economic incentives for nature-based solutions

Financing nature-based solutions (NBS) requires a strategic and multi-phased approach to ensure their long-term success. Unlike many conventional solutions, NBS often take time to establish and to fully deliver the envisaged effects, so financing mechanisms should be designed with this in mind.

Advice

To effectively finance NBS, the following advice can be useful:

Establish the objectives of the financial mechanism

When developing financial mechanisms for NBS, begin by defining the specific objectives you want to achieve, including the desired outcomes and timeline. This will guide the development process. Consider whether the mechanism should target specific NBS, such as dedicated funding for green roofs, or be designed to accommodate a broader range of NBS. The decision may depend on existing programs and regulatory frameworks; for example, mechanisms at the building scale (such as green roofs, green walls, or rain gardens) may integrate more smoothly within current building regulations. Finally, ensure that the chosen financial mechanism is evaluated periodically to determine whether it achieves the intended objectives and contributes effectively to the defined aims.

Develop financing mechanisms that consider the whole life cycle of an NBS project

NBS, such as ecosystem restoration and green infrastructure development, often require years, if not decades, to reach full maturity and provide anticipated benefits, including flood control, carbon sequestration, and biodiversity restoration. Short-term funding mechanisms can significantly hinder these projects by restricting essential follow-up and long-term monitoring. Therefore, financing strategies must prioritize sustained investment and dedicated maintenance funds to maximize the effectiveness and longevity of these solutions.

Comprehensive financing mechanisms should support every phase of NBS—from research and planning through to design, implementation, and ongoing monitoring and maintenance. Allocating resources for post-implementation monitoring, maintenance, and adaptive management ensures that projects can adapt to evolving environmental and community conditions. These phases are as critical as planning and implementation in securing long-term success.

Leverage timing for rebuilding and recovery

When communities are rebuilding after natural disasters (e.g., landslides, floods, etc.), these moments present timely opportunities to introduce NBS into the recovery process. There is often an influx of emergency or recovery funding, and integrating NBS into rebuilding efforts can provide more sustainable and resilient outcomes. By taking advantage of these rebuilding windows, funding for NBS becomes more viable and attractive as part of a holistic recovery strategy. In general, aligning NBS projects with other planned building projects can help finance NBS and cut costs.

Diversify funding sources

To truly mainstream and upscale NBS, a concerted effort should be made to diversify funding sources and create innovative financing structures that engage both the public and private sectors. Internationally, NBS are largely financed by public funds (European Investment Bank, 2023; Engelbrecht Hansen et al., 2023). There is still a need for more impactful funding structures for NBS in the Nordic countries, according to our findings and previous studies (Barkved et al., 2024; Sandin et al., 2022).

Innovative models, such as green bonds or environmental impact bonds can offer valuable insights and could be tailored for use in the Nordics. Public funds can play a key role in de-risking private investment in NBS, particularly in contexts where there is scepticism about the effectiveness of nature-based approaches. Risk-sharing mechanisms, like guarantees or performance-based payments, can encourage more private sector participation (Sandin et al., 2022).

Engaging the private sector is crucial, as the majority NBS investments are currently done through public funds (Engelbrecht Hansen et al., 2023). This can for example be achieved by emphasising clear economic returns, promoting green financing instruments, and linking NBS to corporate sustainability or environmental, social, and governance goals. Public-private partnerships are also effective in aligning shared interests, such as co-financing green infrastructure between urban developers and local governments. Furthermore, cross-sectoral business models, like payments for ecosystem services, can pool resources from various beneficiaries (e.g., farmers, utilities) to support ecosystem restoration (Jian, 2023). By diversifying funding sources in these ways, NBS can become more financially sustainable and scalable.

Context

The planning of NBS projects often stalls because of a lack of funding, and this has been identified as a common barrier. Policy mechanisms that enable financing flows to NBS are, therefore, a necessary tool to promote NBS implementation. These exist in several configurations, such as government funding programs for municipalities, EU grants, and support from nature restoration or protection funds. Another challenge is evaluating the success of a funding scheme when funding cycles sometimes follow timeframes that are too short for NBS to deliver their full potential within the cycle.

Useful considerations

To avoid being overwhelmed when developing financing mechanisms for NBS, it is often better to start small and simple. I.e., developing a financing program for one type of NBS that can be based on reduction of an already existing fee, then creating a full comprehensive financing program. Financing programs should be evaluated and can be adjusted and expanded over time.
NBS projects often need adaptive management as ecosystems change over time. Flexibility in funding structures can allow for the necessary adjustments during the project's lifecycle. Mechanisms like adaptive financing allow resources to be shifted or added as new challenges or opportunities arise, ensuring that the project remains effective.

Highlighted international goals and obligations

Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework: “Ensure the full integration of biodiversity and its multiple values into policies, regulations, planning and development processes, poverty eradication strategies, strategic environmental assessments, environmental impact assessments and, as appropriate, national accounting, within and across all levels of government and across all sectors, in particular those with significant impacts on biodiversity, progressively aligning all relevant public and private activities, fiscal and financial flows with the goals and targets of this framework.”

SDG 15, Life on Land, Target 15.A: “Increase financial resources to conserve and sustainably use ecosystem and biodiversity. Mobilize and significantly increase financial resources from all sources to conserve and sustainably use biodiversity and ecosystems.”

General references for this advice

Davis, Cuevas & Gvein, 2024; European Investment Bank, 2023; IEEP et al., 2024; Jian, 2023; van der Jagt, 2023.

Learn more

A vast number of resources have been published by organisations and research projects to provide inspiration and information about financing mechanisms that can support NBS, some of which are linked here:

Network Nature developed a factsheet for exploring opportunities for NBS through municipal funding:
https://networknature.eu/sites/default/files/uploads/networknature-nbs-factsheet-4.pdf

Guide to Biodiversity Financing for Cities and Regions, published by ICLEI:
https://e-library.iclei.org/uploads/Biodiversity-Finance-Guide_final.pdf.

Biodiversity finance decision-making tree, published by ICLEI:
https://interactbio.iclei.org/wp-content/uploads/Biodiversity-Finance-Decision-making-Tree.pdf.

UNA Biodiversity Finance Handbook, published by ICLEI Africa:
https://e-library.iclei.org/uploads/UNA-Resilience_Handbook_FINAL(2).pdf.

Financing and Business Models Guidebook, published by the Connecting Nature project: https://connectingnature.oppla.eu/sites/default/files/uploads/finance-1.pdf

Approaches to financing nature-based solutions in cities, published by the Grow Green project: https://growgreenproject.eu/approaches-financing-nature-based-solutions-cities/

NBS Business Models search engine, published by the Grow Green project:
https://growgreenproject.eu/nbs-business-models-search-engine/

Business Model Catalogue: Taking action for urban nature, published by the Naturvation project:https://www.naturvation.eu/sites/default/files/results/content/files/business_model_catalogue.pdf

Business Models & Financing Strategies, published by UNaLab:
https://unalab.eu/en/documents/d63-business-models-and-financing-strategies

The Connecting Nature Resource Centre includes several resources for financing and business models: https://connectingnature.oppla.eu/

Nature-based Solutions Sustainable Financing Inventory (with fact sheets for each financing mechanism), published by the Ponderful project: https://www.ecologic.eu/19473

Stakeholder engagement and collaboration for nature-based solutions

Stakeholder involvement at all stages of NBS development is important to improve planning and design of NBS, ensure locally adapted NBS and balance multiple interests. Stakeholder involvement increases knowledge and awareness, acceptance and a sense of ownership, which in turn can ensure the long-term commitment and success of NBS.

Advice

Stakeholder involvement in NBS initiatives should be done in a structured and meaningful way. Make sure to:

Engage a diverse range of stakeholders across sectors and scales;
Analyse stakeholder dynamics, to assure that all relevant voices are heard;
Build long-term relationships and trust through transparent inclusive processes;
Use collaborative approaches to co-create solutions rather than imposing them
Use tailored communication and skilled facilitation for engagement activities;
Remember to reserve adequate resources for maintaining engagement through all stages of an NBS project, i.e., from the planning through implementation, maintenance and monitoring phases.

Context

NBS require collaborative work in a pursuit to contribute to environmental, economic and social impacts and build resilience. Involving local stakeholders can shape solutions that are relevant for local challenges, which will streamline their adoption. Contributing to generating solutions and providing local knowledge can enhance social empowerment. Local relevancy and personal involvement also create a feeling of responsibility and ownership of the solutions. Participatory processes involving stakeholders and established social relations tend to positively correlate with climate perceptions and social learning (Teodoro et al., 2021).

Meaningful engagement enables mutual learning and awareness that can stir further NBS and climate resilience development. This in turn strengthens the social learning, which contributes to supporting and mainstreaming the use of NBS, as stakeholders demand more sustainable solutions. It can also contribute to reaching a societal agreement on the benefits of NBS, which can potentially lead to commitment to their implementation.

The primary challenge is ensuring that all relevant stakeholder groups are represented in decision-making by attracting a diverse set of individuals and with varied backgrounds from multiple stakeholder groups, and encouraging their continued involvement. Stakeholders have large potential to influence how NBS are shaped and perceived. Hence, it is important to consider all stakeholders forming the quadruple helix approach to co-creating NBS innovations: academia, industry, government and citizens (Dubovik et al., 2022).

Useful considerations

Structured engagement throughout the duration of a NBS project or initiative can contribute to strengthening the general trust in NBS.
Demonstrating value (e.g., using monitoring data or cost-benefit analysis) can enhance engagement.
Meaningful stakeholder engagement is a direct way of raising awareness and knowledge of NBS and thus appreciation for locally developed solutions.
It may be challenging to attract all necessary stakeholders and go beyond the usual participants (i.e., those who tend to participate often) which can limit the number of necessary perspectives needed for identifying all local challenges.
Each stakeholder will have their own interests and demands, which may present challenges during NBS co-creation. Thus, neutral expert facilitation is needed to navigate through the entire process.
Ideally, stakeholders should be involved in all stages of NBS development, from planning to maintenance.
It is important to ensure the diversity of participants to capture as many needs and perspectives as possible.

International goals and obligations

SDG 17 Partnerships for the Goals: “Strengthen the means of implementation and revitalize the global partnership for sustainable development.”

Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, target 11: “Restore, maintain and enhance nature’s contributions to people, including ecosystem functions and services, such as regulation of air, water, and climate, soil health, pollination and reduction of disease risk, as well as protection from natural hazards and disasters, through nature-based solutions and ecosystem-based approaches for the benefit of all people and nature.”

Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, target 14: “Ensure the full integration of biodiversity and its multiple values into policies, regulations, planning and development processes, poverty eradication strategies, strategic environmental assessments, environmental impact assessments and, as appropriate, national accounting, within and across all levels of government and across all sectors, in particular those with significant impacts on biodiversity, progressively aligning all relevant public and private activities, fiscal and financial flows with the goals and targets of this framework.”

EU Adaptation Strategy: “More systemic adaptation: Supporting policy development at all levels and all relevant policy fields; including three cross-cutting priorities to integrate adaptation into: macro-fiscal policy; nature-based solutions; and local adaptation actions.”

General references for this advice

Barkved et al., 2024; European Commission, 2021a; Teodoro, Prell & Sun, 2021; van der Jagt et al., 2023

Learn more

Harnessing the Power of Collaboration for Nature-Based Solutions is a report published by the European Commission that provides insights and practical examples for local decision-makers on how to effectively implement NBS through collaborative approaches: https://www.ecologic.eu/sites/default/files/publication/2023/33001-harnessing-the-power-of-collaboration-for-nbs.pdf

The EU funded UNaLab project developed resources on how to develop an Urban Living Lab and how to co-create and involve stakeholders in the innovation process related to NBS: www.unalab.eu

The EU funded Regions4Climate aims to develop and demonstrate a socially-just transition to climate resilience in collaboration with regional stakeholders: www.regions4climate.eu

Evidence-based and adaptive management for nature-based solutions

Integrating evidence and systematic use of knowledge into policy development and decision-making for nature can foster resilience in changing environments.

Advice

Evidence-based management is key when working with nature. Decisions regarding complex ecosystems need to be supported by scientific evidence and experience. If there is a lack of knowledge, impact assessments and mapping should be required. The precautionary principle should be applied when working with nature, to avoid damages that can be irreversible. To ensure that NBS become mainstream, all relevant knowledge and experiences should be gathered and made accessible.

Adaptive management can give flexibility and allow for adjustments in response to changing conditions and new knowledge. When working with NBS, there needs to be room for trying and failing to improve the solutions over time.

Context

Evidence-based management uses evidence and systematic knowledge to ensure effectiveness, sustainability and adaptability. A barrier to implementation of NBS is the perceived lack of evidence or knowledge about the effects of a NBS intervention. Ecosystems are complex and dynamic, and there is always an element of uncertainty in their management. Predicting the effects of NBS are in other words not as standardised as for other interventions or grey solutions. Most NBS are also to some degree unique to their area and context.

Evidence-based risk assessments can contribute to managing uncertainties in NBS implementation, strengthening confidence in applying these approaches. Evidence-based management can also encourage collaboration across different sectors, such as agriculture, forestry, and urban development, in that they all significantly impact biodiversity. The emphasis on knowledge-based management supports the use of strategic environmental assessments and environmental impact assessments, ensuring that biodiversity values are systematically included in project evaluations and planning processes.

Ecosystems evolve and change over time, and this is also what make NBS more resilient and multi-functional than other solutions. The 7^th criterion of the IUCN global standard is that “NBS are managed adaptively, based on evidence” (IUCN, 2020a). Adaptive management is based on knowledge coming from monitoring, science, experiences and traditional or indigenous knowledge. To expand NBS knowledge, continuous learning is key. By drawing on past successes and failures, practitioners can build a more comprehensive understanding of what works and why, allowing for more effective future planning and taking NBS into consideration.

Documenting these experiences is equally important, as it allows the wider community to benefit from lessons learned and apply them to their own contexts. This approach not only strengthens the collective knowledge base but also supports risk assessments, which are essential for managing uncertainties associated with NBS implementation. These strategies align policy with practical implementation, fostering collaboration and ensuring more effective NBS adoption.

Useful considerations

Applying standardised Monitoring & Evaluation (M&E) to track both ecological and socio-economic outcomes will allow for continuous improvement and scalability of NBS initiatives.
The importance of learning from both successes and failures in previous NBS efforts should be emphasised. This means also documenting unsuccessful solutions. By analysing case studies and practical experiences, practitioners can build a deeper understanding of effective strategies and potential pitfalls, leading to better-informed decision-making.
Knowledge gathered about certain ecosystems or areas in impact assessment may not always be public. Strengthening systems to share and make this information accessible could improve transparency, support informed decision-making, and foster collaboration.
Identifying what works and what does not, can reduce barriers to implementation of NBS both locally and across regions.
Regular assessments of effects and impacts of NBS can help identify risks and challenges at an early stage.

International goals and obligations

Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, target 14: “Ensure the full integration of biodiversity and its multiple values into policies, regulations, planning and development processes, poverty eradication strategies, strategic environmental assessments, environmental impact assessments and, as appropriate, national accounting, within and across all levels of government and across all sectors, in particular those with significant impacts on biodiversity, progressively aligning all relevant public and private activities, and fiscal and financial flows with the goals and targets of this framework.”

EU Adaptation Strategy: The advice for evidence-based management and evidence for NBS aligns with the EU Adaptation Strategy, specifically under its emphasis on enhancing knowledge and evidence-based approaches for effective climate adaptation. The strategy promotes the integration of scientific research, data collection, and monitoring to inform policy decisions, ensuring that adaptation measures are robust and resilient. This knowledge-driven approach is essential for implementing NBS effectively within broader climate adaptation efforts.

General references for this advice

Bergström et al., 2020; Climate ADAPT, 2019.

Learn more

Nature-Based Solutions Implementation Handbook: A Summary for Practitioners by the UnaLab projects provides tips on monitoring and impact assessments of NBS: https://unalab.eu/system/files/2024-01/nbs-implementation-handbook-summary-practitioners2024-01-04.pdf

Convention on biological diversity’s operational guidance for application of the ecosystem approach: https://www.cbd.int/ecosystem/operational.shtml

Knowledge4Policy (K4P) is the EU Commission's platform for evidence-based policymaking. It includes knowledge on topics such as biodiversity and disaster risk management: https://knowledge4policy.ec.europa.eu/home_en

Policy integration and cross-sectoral approaches for nature-based solutions

As multifunctional solutions to the climate and nature crises, NBS need to be mainstreamed across all sectors and policies.

Advice

To combat climate and biodiversity challenges, we need to steer away from “business as usual”, including traditional, grey solutions and make NBS a political priority. As nature protection and climate change adaptation should be key priorities across all governance sectors and levels, so should multifunctional and effective solutions.

Analysing policy coherence when working with policy development for NBS can reveal gaps and barriers to NBS implementation. NBS can be integrated into existing policies, and there is a need to align strategies for NBS with broader environmental and social policies.

Introducing NBS as a term in key policies on all governance levels can contribute to a focus on multi-functionality of measures that are useful to several sectors simultaneously, hence creating synergies.

Coordination between ministries and involvement of different stakeholders and sectors are needed in the policymaking process to develop policies that institutionalise NBS across sectors and ensure policy coherence.

Context

The climate and biodiversity crises are interlinked and should be addressed across all sectors, governance levels and policy areas, recognising that all human societies and economies rely on intact ecosystems and a stable climate. While the NBS term is relatively new, many of the actual solutions, such as protecting riparian zones and restoring wetlands are well-known measures. Introducing the NBS concept can emphasise the focus on multifunctionality and considerations of biodiversity and human wellbeing.

The Nordic synergy report (Engelbrecht Hansen et al., 2023) showed that in 2021, only one of the Nordic countries (Norway) had included the term NBS in national legislation. Similarly, a recent mapping from Network Nature (IEEP et al., 2024) shows that NBS was not explicitly mentioned in most global and EU policies on sustainability and the environment. While many of these policies can still promote the use of NBS, there is a need to set clear targets backed by funding in existing policies.

The Nordic NBS synergy report recommends that clear political prioritisation is needed to mainstream NBS into policy and practice (Engelbrecht Hansen et al., 2023). NBS should be considered as a main option before “grey solutions”, however, they sometimes need to work in combination.

NBS often require collaboration between actors representing different disciplines and sectors in all phases from planning and financing to implementation and maintenance. This can pose a challenge, as most sectors have very specific and defined areas of expertise and responsibility. Similarly, different economic sectors are often represented by different ministries and agencies and have specific policies for their sector. To support the successful implementation of NBS, knowledge, values, and needs from different sectors must be taken into account. Cross-coordination between sectoral areas is therefore necessary to design policies that support NBS.

As NBS can solve several challenges at once they may also be the preferred option because of their potential for multifunctionality, and it may increase the likelihood of implementation several different sectors benefit. It is important to address this both through cross-sectoral collaborations and holistic approaches. It can also be useful to highlight how the different sectors can benefit from and support the use of NBS. One such example is the sectoral briefs on nature-positive solutions provided by the MERLIN project.

https://project-merlin.eu/mainstreaming.html

To make NBS the default option, it is important that their multiple benefits are identified and emphasised. One way of doing this can be to apply the ecosystem services approach, as NBS clearly provides important ecosystems for humans. However, it is important to bear in mind that ecosystem services cannot account for all the benefits nature provides. The framework focuses on what nature can deliver to humans, while it is agreed that nature and all species hold intrinsic value, independent of human utility. Another principle that should be applied when working with NBS is the mitigation hierarchy, which prioritises avoiding impact before restoration and mitigation of damages. The hierarchy approach has been further developed into a more proactive version in the conservation hierarchy (Sinclair et al., n.d.).

In some Nordic countries, regional authorities can play an important role for knowledge sharing as well as coordinating with the municipalities to ensure holistic solutions and approaches in the region. Two examples are Rogaland County Authority and Møre and Romsdal County Authority in Norway, which arrange networks with seminars targeting municipalities within their county. Similar initiatives can be found in other Nordic countries as well.

There are several frameworks and ways to analyse policies looking for potential synergies or conflicting targets. An example of this is the report published by The Norwegian Association of Local and Regional Authorities (KS) in 2023 which underlines the need for municipalities to work coherently and in parallel with the four topics: reduction of climate emissions; climate adaptation; protection of biodiversity; and green energy transition (Kommunesektorens interesseorganisasjon, 2023).

Useful considerations

Integrating the use of NBS across all policy areas can increase the uptake of NBS and thereby promote synergy effects.
As NBS are multi-functional, they should be integrated across sectors such as health, municipal planning, agriculture and transport, and not only environment and climate. This can increase awareness and make the multiple functionalities of NBS visible.
Political prioritisation includes setting clear targets for the use of NBS and budgets both by updating existing policies and developing new strategies.
Ensuring policy coherence is key to ensure the uptake of NBS. Some sector policies may have conflicting goals and targets or hinder the implementation of new solutions. For example, the funding systems for water management and agricultural subsidies can sometimes present such conflicts.
Financing is important to make policies for NBS actionable. Hence, a strategy or an action plan needs to be followed up by budgeting for the activities it involves, either from the authorities’ own budgets and/or by seeking external funding.

International goals and obligations

EU Adaptation Strategy: “More systemic adaptation: Supporting policy development at all levels and all relevant policy fields; including three cross-cutting priorities to integrate adaptation into: Macro-fiscal policy; Nature-based solutions; and Local adaptation actions.”

Kunming-Montreal global biodiversity framework, Target 14: “Ensure the full integration of biodiversity and its multiple values into policies, regulations, planning and development processes, poverty eradication strategies, strategic environmental assessments, environmental impact assessments and, as appropriate, national accounting, within and across all levels of government and across all sectors, in particular those with significant impacts on biodiversity, progressively aligning all relevant public and private activities, fiscal and financial flows with the goals and targets of this framework.”

SDG 13 Climate Action, Target 13.2: “Integrate climate change measures into national policies, strategies and planning.”

SDG 15 Life on Land, Target 15.9: “By 2020, integrate ecosystem and biodiversity values into national and local planning, development processes, poverty reduction strategies and accounts.”

SDG 17, Partnerships for the Goals, Target 17.E: “Enhance policy coherence for sustainable development.”

EU Adaptation Strategy: “More systemic adaptation: Supporting policy development at all levels and all relevant policy fields; including three cross-cutting priorities to integrate adaptation into: Macro-fiscal policy; Nature-based solutions; and Local adaptation actions.”

General references for this advice

Davis, Cuevas & Gvein, 2024; IEEP, et al., 2024; Kommunesektorens interesseorganisasjon, 2023.

LEARN MORE

The CrossGov project is developing tools for assessing policy coherence on all governance levels. This can also be applied to assess whether policies work as intended to support NBS. https://crossgov.eu/crossgov-policy-coherence-evaluation-framework/

The OECD’s recommendations on policy coherence for sustainable development. https://www.oecd.org/en/topics/policy-coherence-for-sustainable-development.html

Guidelines for Integrating Ecosystem-based Adaptation into National Adaptation Plans: Supplement to the UNFCCC NAP Technical Guidelines by the UN Environment Programme: https://wedocs.unep.org/handle/20.500.11822/36703

Taking nature-based solutions up the policy ladder: from research to policy action. A NetworkNature Knowledge Brief. https://networknature.eu/sites/default/files/uploads/networknature-nbs-knowledgebrief01.pdf

Lessons for mainstreaming. A collection of materials on how strategic intervention in the governance, financial and urban development domains can enable types of innovation to support and mainstream NBS in urban settings by the NATURVATION project: https://naturvation.eu/mainstream/lessons-mainstreaming.html

9.2 List of specific advice on policies for NBS in the online handbook

The table below provides a list of the specific advice developed in the project and presented in the handbook, including the title, introduction text and some of the highlighted examples included for each piece of advice. To read the full text, please visit the online handbook: www.nbspolicy.org/all-advice/

Table 2. Overview of the policy advice developed in the project and presented in the online handbook.

Policy advice overview

Applying assessment frameworks for NBS

A robust assessment framework can ensure effective monitoring and evaluation of ecological and socio-economic outcomes, collaboration, transparency, and enables comparison across initiatives.

Some highlighted examples:

#NORWAY – Reopening of rivers and streams in Oslo

#NORDIC – Sustainable city (hållbarstad.se)

Carry out cost-benefit analysis considering the Total Economic Value of NBS

Analysing the Total Economic Value of NBS highlights their long-term benefits, including ecosystem services and helps policymakers and investors recognize NBS as cost-effective and scalable.

Some highlighted examples:

#DENMARK – Online portal for Climate Adaptation – OS2 Skadesøkonomi

#SWEDEN – Cost-benefit analysis for urban blue-green infrastructure (BGI) in Oslo

#ÅLAND – i-Tree Sweden: For strategic work with the ecosystem services of trees

Collaborate with research institutions and other knowledge-producing actors

Promoting engagement and collaboration with local research institutes and other knowledge-producing actors such as NGOs can lead to better understanding of NBS impacts and wider outreach.

Some highlighted examples:

#FINLAND and #NORWAY – Collaboration with academia and research institutes within H2020 UNaLab project in Tampere (Finland) and Stavanger (Norway)

Collaborations across municipalities with common challenges

To overcome challenges with lack of resources, time, or expertise to apply NBS, municipalities with common challenges should utilise existing arenas for collaboration.

Some highlighted examples:

#NORWAY – An intermunicipal plan for biodiversity (Haldenvassdraget)

#DENMARK – A water management capacity plan for ten municipalities (Harrestrup å)

#FAROE ISLANDS – A regional park for nature protection and economic development (Andi Snæfellsnes)

Consider no net loss or net positive impact strategies

Preserving nature is often the most resource-effective and sustainable action. A no net loss strategy can be an effective way of protecting nature and reconsidering the use of developed areas.

Some highlighted examples:

#NORWAY – No net loss as a principle for municipal planning (Nordre Follo)

#SWEDEN – "Half of Täby green" - detailed development plan for Täby municipality

#FINLAND – Biodiversity and No Net Loss in Espoo

Develop guidelines for stakeholder involvement in NBS projects

Guidelines on how to design and conduct good stakeholder involvement in NBS projects can improve and streamline these processes, and that they become a routine in NBS projects in the long-term.

Some highlighted examples:

#FINLAND – Recommendations for citizen science and public participation in approval of plans

Earmark funds to support NBS in agriculture

Earmarking funds for NBS within financial support programmes for agriculture is one way to encourage NBS within the productive landscape.

Some highlighted examples:

#DENMARK – Grant programme to support the green transition of the food industry

#NORWAY – Using local and regional agri-environment funds for NBS

Engage schools and youth in NBS activities

Engaging youth in NBS education and activities has much potential and can benefit the youth, as well as educate them in more sustainable practices which they can apply later in their adult life.

Some highlighted examples:

#ICELAND – Introducing school children to the importance of forestry (Yrkja fund)

#DENMARK – Teaching material for Danish schoolchildren (Et grønnere klima)
#FAROE ISLANDS – Engaging students in land restoration (Lendisbati)

Establish a common NBS resource platform

Gathering knowledge and inspiration can be time-consuming. A common online NBS resource platform can support civil servants, planners and decision-makers when scoping, planning, and implementing NBS.

Some highlighted examples:

#DENMARK– A common, public portal on climate adaptation (Klimatilpasning.dk)

#SWEDEN – Sustainable city (Hållbarstad.se)
#ÅLAND – The wetland web (Våtmarkswebben)

Establish interdisciplinary networks within public administrations

Interdisciplinary networks on specific NBS-related topics such as stormwater management or natural hazards can lead to a more cohesive and effective implementation of measures.

Some highlighted examples:

#FINLAND – Climate change adaptation working group in Espoo municipality

#NORWAY – inter-agency group on climate adaptation led by the Norwegian Environment Agency

European funding opportunities for NBS-eligible projects

Several EU funding opportunities can support the implementation and execution of projects focusing on nature, climate and the environment, which have the potential to qualify as NBS.

Some highlighted examples:

#DENMARK – NBS projects in Denmark successfully implemented with EU funding (BLUE REEF Kattegat, RECONECT)

#SWEDEN – EU funding for NBS projects in Sweden (LIFE Coast Adapt)

Facilitate monitoring and documenting the effects of NBS

Systems to assess the multiple short- and long-term benefits of NBS enable improvement and scalability of NBS initiatives.

Some highlighted examples:

#FINLAND – National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (NBSAP)

Facilitate private funding of nature-based solutions

Exploring innovative funding mechanisms and facilitating private funding of NBS through economic incentives can prove successful for mainstreaming and upscaling NBS.

Some highlighted examples:

#DENMARK – Tripartite agreement to transform land use

#UK – Wyre Natural Flood Management Investment Readiness Project

Financial support for integrating NBS in local policies

Allocating a dedicated budget specifically to support local efforts to prioritize NBS can significantly accelerate the adoption of NBS across municipalities.

Some highlighted examples:

#NORWAY – “Nature grants” for municipalities that work to protect biodiversity (Natursats)

Governmental grants to facilitate restoration projects

Grants directed at municipalities, NGOs and businesses can play a crucial role in mainstreaming and scaling up restoration projects, as financing remains a main barrier.

Some highlighted examples:

#SWEDEN – Local Nature Conservation Initiative (LONA)

#NORWAY – Grants for nature restoration

Guidance and strategies for plant selection in NBS

Providing guidance regarding plant selection in restoration and protection oriented NBS can underpin the protection of local biodiversity and limit spreading of harmful, invasive species.

Some highlighted examples:

#DENMARK – Guidance website on native species for Copenhagen

#NORWAY – Nature friendly gardens and guidance on local native species in Oslo
#FINLAND – Finnish open access country-wide biodiversity data

Including traditional knowledge in nature management

Integrating traditional knowledge when working with NBS can foster sustainable land management, deepen ecological insight, and strengthen biodiversity.

Some highlighted examples:

#FINLAND – Näätämö river collaborative management with Skolt Sámi indigenous peoples

Increase capacity building for key public local actors

Implementing NBS in local strategies and projects calls for capacity building for public workers across several sectors and can be especially relevant in smaller municipalities with fewer resources.

Some highlighted examples:

#NORWAY – Enhancing competence and knowledge of planners regarding nature and NBS

#DENMARK – Masterclass in nature-based climate adaptation
#SWEDEN – Building knowledge through an online course

Integrating NBS in local planning policy

Integrating NBS on the strategic level for planning in municipalities, can enable use of NBS locally, both on public and private property.

Some highlighted examples:

#ICELAND – Reykjavík’s municipal master plan

#NORWAY – Stavanger’s municipal master plan (land-use element) 2023–2040
#FINLAND – NBS for urban planning in provinces and municipalities

Integrating NBS in national land-use planning policy

Integrating NBS in national planning policy enables and encourages municipalities to include NBS in their municipal master plans, zoning plans and other important planning documents.

Some highlighted examples:

#NORWAY – Central government planning guideline requiring NBS to be considered

#SWEDEN – Action plan for robust environmental work in a changing climate

Integrating NBS in strategies for health and recreational areas

Recreational areas can be the first step of introducing NBS in urban and rural contexts

Some highlighted examples:

#SWEDEN – Restoration of a recreation area in Rågsved (Stockholm)

#FINLAND – National Nature Recreation Strategy 2030

Involving citizens through community programmes for NBS

Citizen engagement through community-based programmes, citizen science and NBS activities helps spreading awareness, contribute to social learning and gain confidence in NBS actions.

Some highlighted examples:

#SWEDEN – Plats för vattnet: managing stormwater on private properties

#FINLAND – Community gardening in Tampere

Land exchange – swapping properties to protect or restore important ecosystems

Land swaps are the exchange of one real estate for another. This tool can be used by public authorities to secure land for protecting or restoring important ecosystems.

Some highlighted examples:

#SWEDEN – Nämdöskärgårdens National Park

#DENMARK – Planning for multifunctional land consolidation in Assens

Look for NBL opportunities when planning infrastructure projects

To overcome challenges with lack of funding and space to apply NBS, public authorities can capitalise on large infrastructure projects by making funding or integration of NBS mandatory.

Some highlighted examples:

#SWEDEN – Flood plains to prevent flooding by the road in Vretaholm eklandskap Gränna

#NORWAY – Considering nature in the handbook for road construction

Mapping ecosystems and land-use

Getting a better overview of the land use and state of ecosystems is the first step toward better planning for NBS and nature protection.

Some highlighted examples:

#NORWAY – A regional requirement for land cover accounts (Rogaland)

#SWEDEN – Gothenburg's strategy to map and protect eel grass meadows

Promote and develop decision-making support tools

Enhancing such tools for NBS helps stakeholders effectively evaluate impacts, costs, and benefits. This can strengthen collaboration, improve decision quality, and build greater confidence in NBS.

Some highlighted examples:

#SWEDEN – Regional plans of action

#DENMARK – Interactive modelling tools in the online portal for Climate Adaptation

Promote cross-sectoral collaboration and partnerships with industry and private actors

Overcoming sectoral silos and fostering interdisciplinary efforts between municipalities/regions, industries and private sector are key for NBS policies to succeed.

Some highlighted examples:

#FINLAND – Climate Leadership Coalition

#DENMARK – The Danish Nature Fund

Provide expert guidance and relevant information on NBS

Practical implementation of NBS requires access to guidance and relevant information before and during the process – this can also enhance opportunities for meeting societal challenges.

Some highlighted examples:

#SWEDEN – Guidance on nature-based solutions (from Naturvårdsverket)

#INTERNATIONAL – NBS Management hub (IUCN)

Stormwater fees supporting NBS for stormwater management

Adopting stormwater fees, or water utility fees, can secure funding for nature-based solutions for stormwater management.

Some highlighted examples:

#DENMARK – Funding the hydraulic functions of NBS

#FINLAND – An additional stormwater fee
#SWEDEN – Separating stormwater and wastewater costs

Strengthening nature protection legislation

Protected areas are still under pressure. Focusing on enforcement of restrictions to ensure the effectiveness of nature protection is fundamental.

Some highlighted examples:

#NORWAY – Lobster reserves as a management tool

#SWEDEN – Eelgrass meadows in the Gothenburg archipelago
#DENMARK – Dune Conservation (Klitfredning)

Training programs for contractors

Including NBS in education relevant for becoming a contractor, or promoting in-service training on NBS for these professionals, can promote the appropriate use and quality of NBS in construction projects.

Some highlighted examples:

#NORWAY – In-service education and certification on NBS of actors in restoration projects

#NORDIC – The EXPERT project for machine operators in ecological restoration projects

Utilise planning tools for green and blue-green infrastructure to support NBS

Existing planning tools, such as blue-green factor and guidelines for green structure can be adapted and supplemented to integrate NBS into zoning planning.

Some highlighted examples:

#NORWAY – Blue-green factor or green norms

#SWEDEN – 3-30-300 guidelines for urban forestry
#ICELAND – Blágræn Vatnslausn (blue-green water solutions)

Zoning overhaul: Revising local zoning plans to prioritise nature
Updating or repealing old zoning plans can help municipalities in their strategy to use nature to address societal challenges and make building applications processing more efficient.

Some highlighted examples:

#NORWAY – Systematic revision of municipal plans (Planvask)