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Research and innovation

Nature-based solutions

Nature-based solutions and how the Commission defines them, the global context, funding, collaboration and jobs, projects and results, knowledge platforms, latest publications, news and events.

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

Horizon Europe

On this page you can find more information, the work programme and a link to the Funding and Tenders Portal

EU funding programmes (2021-2027)

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.

COST actions

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

Urban Nature Atlas

Interactive map showing 1000 examples of nature-based solutions from across 100 European cities

Urban Governance Atlas

A collection of more than 250 good practice policy instruments supporting nature-based solutions and ecosystem restoration.

Horizon dashboard

Access to real-time programme data with the ability to filter by country, region, theme and more

Horizon Results Platform

Platform where framework programme participants present their results for you to search, contact their owners, and form partnerships

Collaboration and jobs

NetworkNature

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)

Connecting Nature Enterprise Platform

An online marketplace connecting potential buyers with suppliers of nature-based solutions who can help to design, deliver, manage and monitor nature-based solutions

Scientific publications, tools and databases

Knowledge Centre for Biodiversity

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

Climate-ADAPT

Platform for sharing data and information to inform decision making on climate adaptation

Urban Greening Platform

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 publications

Scientific research publications on nature-based solutions published by the European Commission's Joint Research Centre (JRC)

EU Open Data Portal

Single point of access to open data produced by the EU institutions - all data free to use for commercial and non-commercial purposes

EUI Portico Knowledge Platform (European Urban Initiative)

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.

Publications

  • Report
  • Directorate-General for Research and Innovation

Harnessing the power of collaboration for nature-based solutions

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.

 

 

 

  • Report
  • Directorate-General for Research and Innovation

Guidelines for co-creation and co-governance of nature-based solutions

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.

 

Latest

Events