Nature-based solutions (NBS) are a globally recognised approach to solving major societal challenges such as climate mitigation and building resilience against the impacts of climate change while at the same time reducing environmental degradation and biodiversity loss. NBS can also address other societal challenges like disaster risk and preparedness, water management, economic and social development, food security, human health and social justice. Despite substantial efforts in implementing NBS and documenting their impacts, NBS remain an underutilised concept and more can be done to encourage and enforce their use. In the A-DVICE project we have developed an online handbook featuring advice for mainstreaming the use of NBS through policies by exploring potential opportunities and examples in the Nordic countries (Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, Sweden and the autonomous territories of Faroe Islands, Greenland and Åland). The project is part of the Nordic Council of Ministers programme on NBS.
The handbook and advice build on findings from previous projects in the Nordic NBS programme as well as other studies and examples of relevant policies in the Nordics and the project partners’ knowledge and experience. In addition, insights on barriers and opportunities for developing NBS policies were collected via interviews and in a workshop with experts, including practitioners, researchers, NGOs and public administrations. These consultations together with experiences from previous projects show that the most common barriers towards NBS mainstreaming are low diversity of funding options, poor cross-sectoral cooperation, varying knowledge about the effects of NBS, lack of strategic vision, and administrative practices that are not adapted to the use of NBS. On the other hand, there are already many positive initiatives and opportunities in existing policies for NBS. These have been included as examples in the handbook so the Nordic countries can learn from each other.
The online handbook primarily targets decision-makers in public administration, yet the private sector and organisations working with NBS can also benefit from these insights. The advice encompasses a variety of policy instruments including regulatory approaches (such as laws and regulations), market-based and economic instruments (such as funding schemes), administrative practices (such as planning systems, strategies, action plans) as well as voluntary instruments for cooperation, knowledge and awareness-raising on all governance levels. The advice is categorised according to main societal challenge it can contribute to, type of policy instrument and governance level. While general, cross-cutting advice is provided, specific examples highlight how policies supporting NBS can be adapted to local contexts and societal challenges. The advice in the handbook covers key aspects of NBS policy development:
Education, capacity building and awareness raising. Among the specific advice and Nordic examples highlighted in the handbook, we find training and certification programs for contractors and machine operators, online resource platforms, capacity building programs for public actors, specific guidance materials for implementation, and ways to involve youth in NBS initiatives.
Financing and economic incentives for NBS. The handbook advice highlights examples on how to facilitate private funding, earmark governmental funds, utilise EU funding and stormwater fees to support NBS implementation and maintenance.
Stakeholder involvement and collaboration for NBS. The handbook looks at examples of policies supporting guidelines for stakeholder involvement, NBS programmes focusing on citizens, interdisciplinary networks and cross-sectoral collaborations with private actors.
Evidence-based and adaptive management. Some Nordic examples of this included in the handbook are assessment frameworks for NBS, mapping of ecosystems and land use, promoting decision-making support tools, cost-benefit analyses and inclusion of traditional knowledge.
NBS policy integration and cross-sectoral approaches. The specific advice looks closer at how NBS can be integrated in land-use planning on a national and local level, intermunicipal collaborations, NBS in infrastructure projects and policy tools and principles for mainstreaming NBS.
Policies related to protection, restoration, and sustainable use and management of ecosystems can serve as a foundation for mainstreaming NBS in the Nordic countries. The policy handbook includes suggestions for adjusting existing policies as well as introducing new approaches to better support NBS. Using criteria and standards to develop and assess policies is useful to ensure coherence and avoid conflicting regulations. Diversifying policy instruments to influence various stakeholders and integrating NBS across different domains is essential. The Nordic countries have committed to a range of international agreements on climate and biodiversity. Policies that support the use of NBS locally can also be an important contribution toward achieving international goals and obligations.