LAND4CLIMATE aims to deploy and demonstrate the implementation of nature-based solutions (NBS) on private land. NBS are inspired by nature or natural processes. They promise to enhance the resilience of landscapes and urban settlements. However, the implementation of NBS is still in its infancy, especially as these measures require more land that is often owned privately. With the focus on the implementation on private land, LAND4CLIMATE contributes to a more transformative, climate-resilient Europe.

LAND4CLIMATE designs and evaluates NBS on private land by implementing and scaling up innovative land policy strategies in six study areas with associated replication areas in the continental biogeographical region of Europe: Austria, Czech Republic, Germany, Italy, Romania, and Slovakia. LAND4CLIMATE brings together a consortium of five universities, six local authorities at the local, regional, and state levels as well as NGOs, representatives of national parks and actors in community development and urban planning.

The main objective of LAND4CLIMATE is to co-design and validate NBS on private land. For achieving this goal, land policy and business models are applied, such as land readjustment schemes, strategic land leases and easements e.g., reduction of development fees, etc. These will activate private landowners to support the implementation of NBS and more NBS on private land can be realised to ultimately reduce climate risks and increase climate resilience to beneficiaries (i.e., local communities that benefit from the effects of NBS). By involving not only local and regional authorities but also landowners (NBS providers) and local communities (NBS beneficiaries), these land policies and business models thus drive a systemic transformation of climate-resilient regions in Europe.