In the NATALIE project, an important part of WP2 is the study of Nature-based Solutions (NBS) in international, EU, national, and local policies across eight case studies. Through this analysis, colleagues at the University of Thessaly (UTH) and ICATALIST (ICA) aim to identify key challenges and provide policy recommendations for mainstreaming NbS at the local level. In this article, we share key outcomes from their work at the EU level, highlighting the necessity of enhancing NBS in these areas.
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At the EU level, there is a strong integration of NbS into various policies. Many EU policy documents incorporate the term NBS. Nearly all policies are interconnected, either as part of the broader Green Deal policy package, which aims for climate neutrality by 2050, or due to their intersectoral nature. The key themes emerging from these policies include biodiversity, climate adaptation, agriculture, and water management. Indicatively, a key document is the EU Biodiversity Strategy for 2030 which highlights the relevance of NBS for restoring ecosystems and supports initiatives like reforestation and wetland restoration to aid carbon capture and climate adaptation. As an outcome of the EU Biodiversity Strategy, the EU Nature Restoration Law sets binding targets for restoring degraded ecosystems, including forests and coastal areas. In addition, the EU Bioeconomy Strategy links NbS with sustainable bioeconomy practices while the Forest Strategy links them with the provision of critical ecosystem services.
However, challenges remain in translating these broader policies into actionable strategies at the national and local level. The Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), which are national-level commitments to climate action under the Paris Agreement, are critical for climate change mitigation and adaptation, outlining member states’ (MS) strategies to reduce national emissions and adapt to the impacts of climate change. NDCs strive for emission reductions while taking into consideration sustainable development goals and global efforts to eradicate poverty. The EU's NDC, which consists of one document common to all MS, focuses on achieving its climate targets under the Paris Agreement, committing to a 55% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2030. While it emphasizes renewable energy and emissions reductions, it does not explicitly incorporate NBS. However, integrating NbS into the NDC would enhance mitigation and adaptation efforts including multiple benefits such as promoting biodiversity, improving air and water quality, and delivering social and economic advantages.
In the following months, UTH and ICA will finalize analysis by addressing specific policy challenges and recommendations based on the eight NATALIE case studies. Stay tuned for more updates!