Policy makers are encouraged to make use of a new Knowledge Brief, which outlines concrete recommendations that support the implementation of nature-based solutions. These solutions help set cities and towns onto a more sustainable track, and can replace outdated and polluting policies in cities. Furthermore, nature-based solutions are at the core of the EU agenda, and as such should be a priority to local governments in Europe.

Nature-based solutions are inspired by nature and utilise natural elements to help mitigate climate change and enhance biodiversity. They are implemented in an inclusive manner and are cost-effective. As nature-based solutions are prominent in many EU policies, national, regional and local policymakers are called to make use of them at a large scale.

To help decision makers take the next steps to incorporate these sustainable building blocks into their cities, the NetworkNature project, which ICLEI Europe leads, has created a succinct information package (“Knowledge Brief”) to familiarise people with the policy context of these solutions, and to indicate where action can be taken to improve their deployment.

The recommendations outlined touch on resource allocation, monitoring and assessment, and localising EU-level policies. Channelling resources to develop robust tools that assess and monitor the impact of nature-based solutions in quantifiable terms can greatly help support their uptake. This could be further supported by dedicating research funding to nature-based solutions training. Above all, integrating EU-level nature-based solutions policies, or developing local variations, can put policy-makers on the right track to help integrate these solutions in their constituencies for the benefit of people and planet.
NetworkNature is an EU-funded and ICLEI Europe-led project.

For more information, the Knowledge Brief can be accessed here.