Nature‐Based Solutions for Europe's Sustainable Development

doi:10.1111/CONL.12216

Home
/
Papers
/
Nature‐Based Solutions for Europe's Sustainable Development

Journal Article•DOI•

Nature‐Based Solutions for Europe's Sustainable Development

Joachim Maes, Sander Jacobs¹•Institutions (1)

Research Institute for Nature and Forest¹

01 Jan 2017-Conservation Letters (Wiley)-Vol. 10, Iss: 1, pp 121-124

TL;DR: In this paper, the authors outline the basics of a nature-based scenario for Europe, and propose criteria to focus, guide, and evaluate the implementation of naturebased solutions, geared at production of wide socioeconomic benefits, provision of jobs, and low-carbon technology innovations.

read less

Abstract: Pursuing economic targets of job creation, growth, and innovation while tackling global environmental challenges, has long been seen as impossible. However, any long-term economic competitiveness and security depends on the extent to which natural resources are used sustainably. Therefore, the European Union is investing in nature-based solutions to achieve this double goal. The difference between the prevailing economic model and a sustainable resource use has long seemed insurmountable. While many debates are paralyzed or radicalized, nature-based solutions could offer a transition path with realistic, incremental steps toward a sustainable economy as envisaged by the EU Horizon 2020 vision. This paper outlines the basics of a nature-based scenario for Europe, and proposes criteria to focus, guide, and evaluate the implementation of nature-based solutions, geared at production of wide socioeconomic benefits, provision of jobs, and low-carbon technology innovations.

...read moreread less

Content maybe subject to copyright Report

Citations

PDF

Open Access

More filters

Book•DOI•

Nature-based solutions to address global societal challenges

[...]

Emmanuelle Cohen-Shacham, C. Janzen, Stewart Maginnis, Gretchen Walters

04 Aug 2016

TL;DR: A definitional framework for NbS is proposed, including a set of general principles for any N bS intervention, and the scope of NBS is defined as an umbrella concept embracing a number of different ecosystem-based approaches.

...read moreread less

Abstract: This report has been prepared as part of an effort by IUCN to define its position on Nature-based Solutions (NbS) and plan for future work to advance this concept and support effective implementation of NbS to enhance ecosystem services provision and address societal challenges. The report proposes a definitional framework for NbS, including a set of general principles for any NbS intervention. The report also defines the scope of NbS as an umbrella concept embracing a number of different ecosystem-based approaches.

...read moreread less

683 citations

Cites background from "Nature‐Based Solutions for Europe's..."

...For its part, the European Commission has made NbS part of its Horizon 2020 Research and Innovation Programme and is investing in a series of projects to strengthen the evidence base on NbS (Maes & Jacobs, 2015)....
[...]
...(see Maes & Jacobs, 2015) 6 Table 2....
[...]
...…• A workshop on ‘Nature-Based Solutions in a BiodivERsA context’ (Balian et al., 2014); • A series of publications focusing on Naturebased Solutions (e.g. Eggermont et al., 2015, Maes & Jacobs, 2015, European Commission & Directorate-General for Research and Innovation, 2015, Potschin et al. 2015)....
[...]
...; Kabisch et al., 2016; Maes & Jacobs, 2015)....
[...]

Journal Article•DOI•

The science, policy and practice of nature-based solutions : An interdisciplinary perspective

[...]

Carsten Nesshöver¹, Timo Assmuth², Katherine N. Irvine³, Graciela M. Rusch, Kerry A. Waylen³, Ben Delbaere⁴, Dagmar Haase¹, Dagmar Haase⁵, Lawrence Jones-Walters⁶, Hans Keune⁷, Eszter Kovács⁸, Kinga Krauze⁹, Mart Külvik¹⁰, Freddy Rey¹¹, Jiska Joanneke van Dijk, Odd Inge Vistad, Mark Wilkinson³, Heidi Wittmer¹ - Show less +14 more•Institutions (11)

Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research - UFZ¹, Finnish Environment Institute², James Hutton Institute³, European Centre for Nature Conservation⁴, Humboldt University of Berlin⁵, Wageningen University and Research Centre⁶, University of Antwerp⁷, Szent István University⁸, Polish Academy of Sciences⁹, Estonian University of Life Sciences¹⁰, University of Grenoble¹¹

01 Feb 2017-Science of The Total Environment

TL;DR: To realise their full potential, NBS must be developed by including the experience of all relevant stakeholders such that 'solutions' contribute to achieving all dimensions of sustainability.

...read moreread less

677 citations

Journal Article•DOI•

A framework for assessing and implementing the co-benefits of nature-based solutions in urban areas

[...]

Christopher M. Raymond¹, Niki Frantzeskaki², Nadja Kabisch³, Pam Berry⁴, Margaretha Breil⁵, Mihai Razvan Nita⁶, Davide Geneletti⁷, Carlo Calfapietra⁸ - Show less +4 more•Institutions (8)

Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences¹, Erasmus University Rotterdam², Humboldt University of Berlin³, Environmental Change Institute⁴, Central Maine Community College⁵, University of Bucharest⁶, University of Trento⁷, National Research Council⁸

01 Nov 2017-Environmental Science & Policy

TL;DR: In this article, a holistic framework for assessing co-benefits (and costs) of NBS across elements of socio-cultural and socio-economic systems, biodiversity, ecosystems and climate is presented.

...read moreread less

572 citations

Cites background from "Nature‐Based Solutions for Europe's..."

...NBS implementation requires political, economic and scientific challenges to be addressed simultaneously by several actor groups (Maes and Jacobs, 2017)....
[...]
...Practitioners need to consider elements of urban management, biodiversity, governance and social innovation within a socio-ecological system (Maes and Jacobs, 2017; McGinnis and Ostrom, 2014), and to integrate diverse types and systems of knowledge and values for NBS design and implementation so as to be socially comprehensible and acceptable to a range of stakeholders (Frantzeskaki and Kabisch, 2016; Maes and Jacobs, 2017; Raymond et al....
[...]
...Practitioners need to consider elements of urban management, biodiversity, governance and social innovation within a socio-ecological system (Maes and Jacobs, 2017; McGinnis and Ostrom, 2014), and to integrate diverse types and systems of knowledge and values for NBS design and implementation so as to be socially comprehensible and acceptable to a range of stakeholders (Frantzeskaki and Kabisch, 2016; Maes and Jacobs, 2017; Raymond et al., 2017)....
[...]
...…Jacobs, 2017; McGinnis and Ostrom, 2014), and to integrate diverse types and systems of knowledge and values for NBS design and implementation so as to be socially comprehensible and acceptable to a range of stakeholders (Frantzeskaki and Kabisch, 2016; Maes and Jacobs, 2017; Raymond et al., 2017)....
[...]
...…need to consider elements of urban management, biodiversity, governance and social innovation within a socio-ecological system (Maes and Jacobs, 2017; McGinnis and Ostrom, 2014), and to integrate diverse types and systems of knowledge and values for NBS design and implementation so as…...
[...]

Journal Article•DOI•

Urban natural environments as nature-based solutions for improved public health – A systematic review of reviews

[...]

M. van den Bosch¹, Å Ode Sang²•Institutions (2)

University of British Columbia¹, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences²

01 Oct 2017-Environmental Research

TL;DR: The results show that there is strong evidence for improved affect as well as on heat reduction from urban natural environments, and guidelines on how public health and well-being could be integrated into implementation of NBS for resilient and liveable urban landscapes and health in a changing climate are provided.

...read moreread less

461 citations

Journal Article•DOI•

[...]

Saskia Keesstra¹, G. Mol, Jan W. de Leeuw, J.P. Okx, Co Molenaar², Margot De Cleen², Saskia M. Visser - Show less +3 more•Institutions (2)

University of Newcastle¹, Rijkswaterstaat²

10 Nov 2018-Land

TL;DR: In this article, the authors introduce four concepts that are conducive to realizing Land Degradation Neutrality in a more integrated way: systems thinking, connectivity, nature-based solutions, and regenerative economics.

...read moreread less

Abstract: In the effort to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) related to food, health, water, and climate, an increase in pressure on land is highly likely. To avoid further land degradation and promote land restoration, multifunctional use of land is needed within the boundaries of the soil-water system. In addition, awareness-raising, a change in stakeholders’ attitudes, and a change in economics are essential. The attainment of a balance between the economy, society, and the biosphere calls for a holistic approach. In this paper, we introduce four concepts that we consider to be conducive to realizing LDN in a more integrated way: systems thinking, connectivity, nature-based solutions, and regenerative economics. We illustrate the application of these concepts through three examples in agricultural settings. Systems thinking lies at the base of the three others, stressing feedback loops but also delayed responses. Their simultaneous use will result in more robust solutions, which are sustainable from an environmental, societal, and economic point of view. Solutions also need to take into account the level of scale (global, national, regional, local), stakeholders’ interests and culture, and the availability and boundaries of financial and natural capital. Furthermore, sustainable solutions need to embed short-term management in long-term landscape planning. In conclusion, paradigm shifts are needed. First, it is necessary to move from excessive exploitation in combination with environmental protection, to sustainable use and management of the soil-water system. To accomplish this, new business models in robust economic systems are needed based on environmental systems thinking; an approach that integrates environmental, social, and economic interests. Second, it is necessary to shift from a “system follows function” approach towards a “function follows system” one. Only by making the transition towards integrated solutions based on a socio-economical-ecological systems analysis, using concepts such as nature-based solutions, do we stand a chance to achieve Land Degradation Neutrality by 2030. To make these paradigm shifts, awareness-raising in relation to a different type of governance, economy and landscape and land-use planning and management is needed.

...read moreread less

431 citations

Cites background from "Nature‐Based Solutions for Europe's..."

...Some essential aspects to consider when designing NBS are: the level of intervention and its ‘naturalness’ (from minimal interventions to designing artificial ecosystems), the scale of the intervention (from plot scale to whole landscapes), and the complexities this brings in both the natural and socio-economic realms, proper stakeholder engagement, trade-offs, multi- and transdisciplinary knowledge, and mutual learning [54,58,59]....
[...]

1
2
3
4
…
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
41
42
43
44
45
46
47
48
49
50
51
52
53
54
55
56
57
58
59
60
61
62
63
64
65
66
67
68
69
70
71

Collapse

References

PDF

Open Access

More filters

Journal Article•DOI•

A safe operating space for humanity

[...]

Johan Rockström¹, Johan Rockström², Will Steffen³, Will Steffen², Kevin J. Noone², Åsa Persson¹, Åsa Persson², F. Stuart Chapin⁴, Eric F. Lambin⁵, Timothy M. Lenton⁶, Marten Scheffer⁷, Carl Folke², Carl Folke⁸, Hans Joachim Schellnhuber⁹, Hans Joachim Schellnhuber¹⁰, Björn Nykvist¹, Björn Nykvist², Cynthia A. de Wit², Terry P. Hughes¹¹, Sander van der Leeuw¹², Henning Rodhe², Sverker Sörlin², Sverker Sörlin¹³, Peter K. Snyder¹⁴, Robert Costanza¹⁵, Robert Costanza², Uno Svedin², Malin Falkenmark¹⁶, Malin Falkenmark², Louise Karlberg², Louise Karlberg¹, Robert W. Corell, Victoria J. Fabry¹⁷, James Hansen¹⁸, Brian Walker², Brian Walker¹⁹, Diana Liverman⁹, Diana Liverman²⁰, Katherine Richardson, Paul J. Crutzen²¹, Jonathan A. Foley¹⁴ - Show less +37 more•Institutions (21)

Stockholm Environment Institute¹, Stockholm University², Australian National University³, University of Alaska Fairbanks⁴, Université catholique de Louvain⁵, University of East Anglia⁶, Wageningen University and Research Centre⁷, Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences⁸, University of Oxford⁹, Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research¹⁰, James Cook University¹¹, Arizona State University¹², Royal Institute of Technology¹³, University of Minnesota¹⁴, University of Vermont¹⁵, Stockholm International Water Institute¹⁶, California State University San Marcos¹⁷, Goddard Institute for Space Studies¹⁸, Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation¹⁹, University of Arizona²⁰, Max Planck Society²¹

23 Sep 2009-Nature

TL;DR: Identifying and quantifying planetary boundaries that must not be transgressed could help prevent human activities from causing unacceptable environmental change, argue Johan Rockstrom and colleagues.

...read moreread less

Abstract: Identifying and quantifying planetary boundaries that must not be transgressed could help prevent human activities from causing unacceptable environmental change, argue Johan Rockstrom and colleagues.

...read moreread less

8,837 citations

"Nature‐Based Solutions for Europe's..." refers background in this paper

...The increasing use of non-renewables causes transgression of systemic boundaries on planetary and local scales (Rockström et al. 2009; Steffen et al. 2015) threatening the economy as a whole....
[...]
...The increasing use of non-renewables causes transgression of systemic boundaries on planetary and local scales (Rockström et al. 2009; Steffen et al. 2015) threatening the economy as a whole....
[...]

Journal Article•DOI•

Planetary boundaries: Guiding human development on a changing planet

[...]

Will Steffen¹, Will Steffen², Katherine Richardson³, Johan Rockström², Sarah Cornell², Ingo Fetzer², Elena M. Bennett⁴, Reinette Biggs⁵, Reinette Biggs², Stephen R. Carpenter⁶, Wim de Vries⁷, Cynthia A. de Wit⁸, Carl Folke⁹, Carl Folke², Dieter Gerten¹⁰, Jens Heinke¹¹, Jens Heinke¹⁰, Jens Heinke¹², Georgina M. Mace¹³, Linn Persson¹⁴, Veerabhadran Ramanathan¹⁵, Veerabhadran Ramanathan¹⁶, Belinda Reyers², Belinda Reyers⁵, Sverker Sörlin¹⁷ - Show less +21 more•Institutions (17)

Australian National University¹, Stockholm Resilience Centre², University of Copenhagen³, McGill University⁴, Stellenbosch University⁵, University of Wisconsin-Madison⁶, Wageningen University and Research Centre⁷, Stockholm University⁸, Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences⁹, Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research¹⁰, International Livestock Research Institute¹¹, Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation¹², University College London¹³, Stockholm Environment Institute¹⁴, University of California, San Diego¹⁵, The Energy and Resources Institute¹⁶, Royal Institute of Technology¹⁷

13 Feb 2015-Science

TL;DR: An updated and extended analysis of the planetary boundary (PB) framework and identifies levels of anthropogenic perturbations below which the risk of destabilization of the Earth system (ES) is likely to remain low—a “safe operating space” for global societal development.

...read moreread less

Abstract: The planetary boundaries framework defines a safe operating space for humanity based on the intrinsic biophysical processes that regulate the stability of the Earth system. Here, we revise and update the planetary boundary framework, with a focus on the underpinning biophysical science, based on targeted input from expert research communities and on more general scientific advances over the past 5 years. Several of the boundaries now have a two-tier approach, reflecting the importance of cross-scale interactions and the regional-level heterogeneity of the processes that underpin the boundaries. Two core boundaries—climate change and biosphere integrity—have been identified, each of which has the potential on its own to drive the Earth system into a new state should they be substantially and persistently transgressed.

...read moreread less

7,169 citations

"Nature‐Based Solutions for Europe's..." refers background in this paper

...The increasing use of non-renewables causes transgression of systemic boundaries on planetary and local scales (Rockström et al. 2009; Steffen et al. 2015) threatening the economy as a whole....
[...]
...The increasing use of non-renewables causes transgression of systemic boundaries on planetary and local scales (Rockström et al. 2009; Steffen et al. 2015) threatening the economy as a whole....
[...]

Journal Article•DOI•

Ecological intensification: harnessing ecosystem services for food security

[...]

Riccardo Bommarco¹, David Kleijn, Simon G. Potts²•Institutions (2)

Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences¹, University of Reading²

01 Apr 2013-Trends in Ecology and Evolution

TL;DR: Research efforts and investments are particularly needed to reduce existing yield gaps by integrating context-appropriate bundles of ecosystem services into crop production systems.

...read moreread less

Abstract: Rising demands for agricultural products will increase pressure to further intensify crop production, while negative environmental impacts have to be minimized. Ecological intensification entails the environmentally friendly replacement of anthropogenic inputs and/or enhancement of crop productivity, by including regulating and supporting ecosystem services management in agricultural practices. Effective ecological intensification requires an understanding of the relations between land use at different scales and the community composition of ecosystem service-providing organisms above and below ground, and the flow, stability, contribution to yield, and management costs of the multiple services delivered by these organisms. Research efforts and investments are particularly needed to reduce existing yield gaps by integrating context-appropriate bundles of ecosystem services into crop production systems.

...read moreread less

1,318 citations

"Nature‐Based Solutions for Europe's..." refers background in this paper

...Innovations in agroecology and ecological intensification could increase productivity while delivering opportunities for skilled labor (Bommarco et al. 2013; Edwards et al. 2013)....
[...]

DOI•

Towards an EU research and innovation policy agenda for nature-based solutions & re-naturing cities. Final report of the Horizon 2020 expert group on nature-based solutions and re-naturing cities.

[...]

Nicolas Bauduceau, Pam Berry, Claudio Cecchi, Thomas Elmqvist, Marta Fernandez, Terry Hartig, Wilhelm Krull, Eva Mayerhofer, Sandra N, Luise Noring¹, Kalina Raskin-Delisle, Egbert Roozen, William Sutherland, Jürgn Tack - Show less +10 more•Institutions (1)

Copenhagen Business School¹

01 Jan 2015

434 citations

Journal Article•DOI•

Hurdles and Opportunities for Landscape-Scale Restoration

[...]

Myles H. M. Menz¹, Kingsley W. Dixon¹, Richard J. Hobbs¹•Institutions (1)

University of Western Australia¹

01 Feb 2013-Science

TL;DR: Gaps in knowledge must be identified, capacities developed, and research translated into policy and practice to deliver proven, scalable restoration, while avoiding costly and simplistic plantings.

...read moreread less

Abstract: A priority outcome from the 2012 United Nations Rio+20 Conference on Sustainable Development ( 1 ) was the target to restore, by 2020, 150 million ha of disturbed and degraded land globally ( 2 ). An initiative of this scale is estimated to cost U.S. $18 billion per year and to provide U.S. $84 billion per year to the global economy ( 2 ). Although such initiatives have transformative potential because of their scope and backing, they require technology and knowledge capacity to deliver proven, scalable restoration ( 3 ). Restoration processes must achieve the greatest value for money, as far as socioeconomic and biodiversity conservation outcomes, while avoiding costly and simplistic plantings ( 4 ).

...read moreread less

342 citations

"Nature‐Based Solutions for Europe's..." refers background in this paper

...Second, for investors and practitioners to choose for nature-based over conventional techniques, choices and decisions have to consider larger temporal and spatial scales and integrate diverse values (Dendoncker et al. 2014; Menz et al. 2013; Adams 2014)....
[...]