The EU and nature-based solutions
The ambition of research and innovation policy is to position the EU as leader in innovating with nature to achieve more sustainable and resilient societies.
The Commission defines nature-based solutions as
“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.”
Nature-based solutions must therefore benefit biodiversity and support the delivery of a range of ecosystem services.
Read more about Commission research and innovation policy on nature-based solutions
Global context
Nature-based solutions have been gaining momentum in the past few years. On the international stage, 2022 was a pivotal year for the incorporation of nature-based solutions in key intergovernmental agreements.
In March 2022, the fifth United Nations Environment Assembly adopted 14 resolutions to strengthen actions for nature to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals. Among these, world governments formally agreed on a definition of nature-based solutions (UNEP/EA.5/Res.5).
At the UNFCCC COP27, nature-based solutions emerged for their potential to address climate change and featured in the Sharm el-Sheikh Implementation Plan. The Egyptian COP27 Presidency, Germany and IUCN also announced the ENACT initiative for nature-based solutions.
Nature-based solutions are relevant to the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (specifically targets 8, 11 and 12), adopted during the fifteenth meeting of the Convention on Biological Diversity Conference of the Parties (CBD COP15). The Framework sets out an ambitious pathway to reach the global vision of a world living in harmony with nature by 2050.
Finally, nature-based solutions also featured in resolution XIV.17 of the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands COP14.
Both the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES) and the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) recognise the role of nature-based solutions in addressing the twin biodiversity and climate crises.
Funding opportunities
On this page you can find more information, the work programme and a link to the Funding and Tenders Portal
Relevant calls may be found in different sub-programmes and in particular the Nature and Biodiversity sub-programme and the Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation sub-programme.
Environment research related calls may be found in different funding programmes including Regional Development and Cohesion funds, the Recovery and Resilience Facility, Agriculture and Maritime Policy funds and the Just Transition Fund.
Research calls funded through the European Biodiversity Partnership (Biodiversa+)
COST funds interdisciplinary research networks, which bring together researchers, innovators and other professionals including industry specialists, to collaborate on research topics. COST acts as a pre-portal for further research and innovation funding such as Horizon Europe.
Projects and results
Factsheet (2023)
The Commission's primary portal for the results of EU-funded research projects
Open platform repository of nature-based solution case studies
Database of EU research and innovation projects on nature-based solutions
Interactive map showing 1000 examples of nature-based solutions from across 100 European cities
A collection of more than 250 good practice policy instruments supporting nature-based solutions and ecosystem restoration.
Thematic collection of innovative EU-funded nature-based solutions research results (CORDIS, 2020)
Access to real-time programme data with the ability to filter by country, region, theme and more
Platform where framework programme participants present their results for you to search, contact their owners, and form partnerships
Collaboration and jobs
Platform hosting the community of EU-funded nature-based solutions projects, providing resources, dissemination opportunities and avenues for collaboration (in particular through horizontal Task Forces and Regional and National Hubs)
Networking opportunities and marketplace to promote the output of your project or network
An online marketplace connecting potential buyers with suppliers of nature-based solutions who can help to design, deliver, manage and monitor nature-based solutions
Includes a partnership on sustainable land use and nature-based solutions
Researcher jobs in the field of nature-based solutions
Find partners for open EU calls for proposal
Scientific publications, tools and databases
Nature-based solutions knowledge database
Online library of EU research publications on nature-based solutions
Enhancing the knowledge base, facilitate its sharing and foster cross-sectorial policy dialogue for EU policy making in biodiversity and related fields such as nature-based solutions
Platform for sharing data and information to inform decision making on climate adaptation
The platform provides relevant knowledge, data and resources to European regional and local authorities to prepare and plan for climate resilience.
This platform aims to provide guidance and knowledge to support towns and cities in enhancing and restoring their urban nature and biodiversity, along with links to other relevant European Commission initiatives and policies.
Scientific research publications on nature-based solutions published by the European Commission's Joint Research Centre (JRC)
Single point of access to open data produced by the EU institutions - all data free to use for commercial and non-commercial purposes
Portico is the European urban knowledge platform to support better urban policy and strategy design, implementation, and mainstreaming. The platform connects urban actors with the knowledge, people, and initiatives they need to implement sustainable urban development.
Resources on nature-based solutions produced with EU research & innovation funding (2023)
Publications
This report analyses co-creation and co-governance approaches for Nature Based Solutions (NBS). Each project represents different ways in co-designing, co-developing, co-implementing and co-monitoring NBS that are being deployed in diverse European contexts.
This briefing paper presents practical examples and inspiration for local decision-makers on utilizing co-governance approaches to promote participatory processes and collaborative creation of nature-based solutions.
State-of-play and way forward for public and private financial measures in Europe.
A first step in addressing knowledge gaps in the potential economic benefits of Nature-Based Solutions and the challenges facing Nature Based Enterprises
Latest
The EU Partnership Biodiversa+ has launched a call for research proposals on “Nature-Based Solutions (NBS) for biodiversity, human well-being and transformative change”.
The EIB report on financing Nature-based Solutions (NbS) is an important step forward in investing in NbS to address the climate and biodiversity crisis