IUCN European Regional Conservation Forum

Turning Nature-based solutions into action- the Horizon 2020 approach -

Rotterdam, 1 July 2019

Laura Palomo RiosEASME

H2020 Environment and Resources Laura.Palomo-Rios@ec.europa.eu

NBS - EC’s definitionNature-based solutions to societal challenges are solutions that are

inspired and supported by nature, which are cost-effective, simultaneously provide

environmental, social and economic benefits and help build

resilience.

Such solutions bring more, and more diverse, nature and natural features and processes into cities,

landscapes and seascapes, through locally adapted,

resource-efficient and systemic interventions.

https://ec.europa.eu/research/environment/index_en.cfm?pg=nature-based-solutions

Nature-based Solutions R&I - Horizon 2020

Horizon 2020: A community of practice on NBS

THINK NATURE CSA SC5-10-2016Establish science-policy-business-society interfaces to allow for continuous dialogue and interaction

NAIAD RIA SC5-9-2016Promote ecosystem-based approaches for DRR and CA and the concept of the insurance value of ecosystems

NATURE4CITIESNATURVATION RIA SCC-03-2016

Enable the systemic integration of NBS into a sustainable urban planning, new governance, business, financing models and partnerships

CONNECTING NATUREURBAN GREENUP

UNALABGROW GREEN

IA SCC-02a-2016To provide a robust, EU-wide evidence base and develop a European reference framework for nature-based solutions in cities (water and climate resilience)

CLEVER CITIESEDICITNETURBINAT

PROGIREG

IA SCC-02b-2017To provide a robust, EU-wide evidence base and develop a European reference framework for nature-based solutions in cities (inclusive urban regeneration)

OPERANDUMRECONECTPHUSICOS

IA SC5-08-2017 To provide evidence that NBS are flexible, multi-beneficial alternatives to traditional engineering to cope with extreme hydro meteorological events

REGREENCLEARING HOUSE

RIA SC5-13-2018Strengthening international cooperation on sustainable urbanization (EU-CHINA): nature-based solutions for restoration and rehabilitation of urban ecosystems.

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RIA SC5-13-2019Strengthening international cooperation on sustainable urbanization (EU-CELAC): nature-based solutions for restoration and rehabilitation of urban ecosystems.

19 projects, >160M EUR

68 cities involved in urban demonstration projects (2016/2017 calls)

Horizon 2020: A community of practice on NBS Cities

growgreenproject progireg

connectingnature

urbangreenup

unalab

clevercities

urbinat

34 coastal, rivers, mountains, and rural case studies

Horizon 2020: A community of practice on NBS

Land/river management

naiad2020.euphusicos.eu

reconect.eu operandum-project.eu

Co-design, co-creation,co-monitoring…

Horizon 2020: A community of practice on NBS

Creating partnerships

Horizon 2020: A community of practice on NBS

Creating partnerships

Changing governance processes

H2020NBS

projects

Horizon 2020: NBS taskforces

TF1Data management

Knowledge repository

TF2NBS Performance and Impact Assessment

TF3Governance, Business

and Finance

TF4CommunicationDissemination

TFof NBS for

hydro-meteorological risk

Joining forces

Providing a robust, EU-wide evidence base and develop a European reference framework on nature-based solutions

Demonstration of NBS through implementation and monitoring of NBS evidence on the effectiveness and performance of NBS, looking at benefits and co-benefits

Methodologies for replication and up-scaling (mentoring experiences with follower cities/regions)

Identify and assess barriers and ways to overcome them

Data platforms on NBS

Horizon 2020The EU evidence base

Daylighting,Re-naturalization of

River course

Permeable pavements

Vegetated floodway, swales

Reforestation,Street trees

WetlandsBio-filters

Green spaces

Floodable parksRetention ponds

Alluvial meadows

Green roofs, green walls

Large demonstration projects - urban

The EU evidence base

Restoration of wetlands

Pond creation, removal of dikes (and land expropriation) for "more room for the river"

Terraces restoration, wood amelioration and reforestation

renaturation of riparian forests, retention basin, reactivation of hydraulically characteristics

Boizenburg ©Thomas Lerch

Reactivation of storage capacity, floodplain restoration

embankment reinforcement

Large demonstration projects – landscapeThe EU evidence base

Boizenburg ©Thomas Lerch

NBS data and case studies

oppla.eu/

TF1Data management

Knowledge repository

Common repository with common standards to disseminate case study evidence Oppla

Interoperability of meta-data and data architecture to make data useful across Europe

The EU evidence base

TF2NBS Performance and Impact Assessment

The EU evidence base Monitoring and assessment

Monitoring plans of 2 years in each project (benefits + co-benefits)

A common Guidelines of NBS Impact Evaluation based on the one produced by the EKLIPSE NBS WG

Guidance on the co-creation process

As many challenges (co-benefits) as possible

A set of “umbrella indicators”, with at least 1-2 indicators that will be measured by all the projects

List of additional relevant indicators

Guidance on protocols/methodologies Eklipse Impact Evaluation Framework

Governance, business, and finance models

TF3Governance, Business

and Finance

Source NAIAD Project (picture modified from OECD)

Economic evaluation of NBS benefits/cost-effectiveness

Support to decision making

Mapping business models and financial mechanisms

Identifying what would allow for faster NBS uptake!

Mapping business models along a value chain

Barriers and enablers Governance models

Public procurement

Leverage of both public and private funding of NBS

Governance, business, and finance models

• www.naturvation.eu/atlas

www.nature4cities.eu/platform

Implementation Models Online Database

Urban Nature Atlas Database on the values and

assessment methods of NBS

SCC-03-2016 projects

NBS Database

1. Choose a type of NBSor a specific case

2. Identify the values it creates,for whom (‘puzzle’)

3. Mix & match NBS business models

Water Fund, Cape Town

Tree adoption, Leipzig Sq m for butterflies, Edinburgh

i.e. street trees, green roofs, sustainable drainage systems) or a specific project you are working on in your city or neighborhood.

Use the puzzle pieces: who values what? Use empty pieces if you want to add additional benefits (or write with a pen).

Use your puzzle template to select NBS business models that could be used for upscaling your NBS. Use the Business Model Catalogue as inspiration.

Governance, business, and finance models

Business Model Catalogue & Business Model Puzzle for urban nature-based solutions

Governance, business, and finance models

NBS business models

Challenges:1. Focus on capital investment2. Path dependency on the same

sources of NBS financing3. ‘Silo’ gaps between public

departments 4. Capacity gaps

(financial/business expertise in NBS departments)

5. Limited external co-creation6. Complexity of governance

hindering innovation in business models

Governance, business, and finance models

Capturing the Protection Value of Multifunctional Landscapes

Forest landscaperestoration to reduce

floods impacts, stabilise slopes and provide clean water

Connecting Rivers to floodplains and aquifers

Capturing rainwaterwith green roofs

Improving infiltrationusing urban run-off (ie. Permeable pavements)

Growing crops acrossslopes to reduce

erosion and increaseinfiltration Providing riparian

buffers to maintainwater quality and reduce erosion

Conserving and restoring wetlands: purifying wastewaterand alleviating flooding

Water harvesting

Governance, business, and finance models The insurance sector

Insurance Value of Ecosystems survey (NAIAD)

Private-Public Partnerships as a useful way to promote risk awareness and to bridge the knowledge gap in the insurance industry on prevention measures

Governance, business, and finance models The insurance sector

Governance, business, and finance models The insurance sector

Cost-Benefit typology: Avoided damages (benefits) Co-benefits Implementation / LCC Cost Opportunity costs (those associated to the foregone alternative)

Insurance value of Natural Assurance Schemes (NAS) from damage- probability curves

NBS Calls for 2020

Nature-based Solutions Horizon 2020

Innovative nature-based solutions for carbon neutral cities and improved air quality

Enhanced natural treatment solutions for water security and ecological quality in cities

And also considering NBS:

Multi-hazard risk management for risk-informed decision-making in the E.U.

Climate Resilience of European coastal cities

Thank you!