This report has been commissioned by the Nordic Working Group on Environment and Economics (NME). The report has been prepared by a consortium led by Anthesis Group in cooperation with Menon Economics and the City of Copenhagen. Nature-based solutions can be regarded as actions that are inspired and supported by nature. Such solutions are cost-effective and simultaneously provide environmental, social and economic benefits.
This study shows that the inclusion of positive externalities from nature-based solutions in a cost-benefit analysis can contribute at such a magnitude that the effect should not be neglected. This finding is illustrated through a number of case studies. The main conclusion is that nature-based solutions is a good way to adapt to climate change. In order to include positive externalities into the cost benefit analyses more valuation studies would be needed according to the findings of the study.
Members of the Nordic Working Group for Environment and Economy have provided comments and inputs to the report during the work. The authors of the report are responsible for the content as well as the assessments and recommendations, which do not necessarily reflect the views and the positions of the governments in the Nordic countries.
December 2024
Magnus Cederlöf
Chair of the Nordic Working Group for Environment and Economics