Nature-based Solutions: working with nature for a fair and prosperous Europe
Nature-based Solutions are to play a big role in climate change mitigation and building resilient and sustainable societies. Let's find out how nature can be our ally, and how Europe and the Belgian presidency can promote this new scheme
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Climate change, biodiversity loss, urbanisation, excessive use of natural resources... for several decades scientists have been warning us about the consequences of our lifestyles on the planet. A great deal of progress has been made in recent years towards protecting our environment and fighting climate change. Numerous initiatives have been launched around the world, within the European Union (EU) and in the Brussels Region.
However, a more collaborative global approach is needed. The concept of "Nature-based Solutions" (NbS) is one of the answers backed by Europe and the United Nations to meet the challenges of the future. For Belgium, the presidency of the Council of the EU is a great opportunity to promote during debates in the first half of 2024 the concept of NbS as an effective solution for climate change adaptation. The aim is to prepare for the next legislative cycle and build an ambitious and pragmatic environmental policy with our European partners.
Did you know?
Europe is particularly affected by climate change:
- Our continent is warming up twice as fast as the global average (Source: European COPERNICUS Service, 2022).
- Between 1980 and 2022, extreme weather and climate events caused economic losses in the EU estimated at €650 billion. (Source: European Environment Agency, 2023)
The European Climate Risk Assessment (EUCRA) report published by the European Environment Agency in March 2024 indicates that extreme weather events will intensify and multiply, threatening energy and food security, ecosystems, infrastructure, water resources, financial stability and the health of Europeans.
As a city, Brussels is particularly sensitive to climate change, given its high population density and infrastructure concentration. The Brussels Region is characterised by a temperate oceanic climate and has undergone significant changes:
- 2°C increase noticed in Uccle since 1883
- more frequent heat waves and more intense rainstorms (source: Brussels Environment, 2021)
What exactly are "Nature-based Solutions"?
According to the United Nations definition adopted by Europe, Nature-based Solutions (NbS) are:
"actions to protect, sustainably manage, and restore natural or modified ecosystems, that address societal challenges effectively and adaptively, simultaneously providing human well-being and biodiversity benefits".
Read the transcription text
This IUCN figure shows that nature-based solutions are sustainable approaches that use natural processes to solve environmental and social problems, while promoting the health of our ecosystems and human well-being.
The NbS principle? Adopt techniques based on the use or natural reproduction of living organisms, both animal and plant.
A few examples? The ecological restoration of watercourses, rainwater management and greening of urban spaces. In concrete terms, instead of building concrete banks to restore eco-systems and improve stormwater management, waterway redevelopment projects such as river renaturation, wetland creation and bank revitalisation can be undertaken. These actions are full-fledged NbS.
These often low-cost approaches are increasingly recognised for their effectiveness, sustainability and capacity in terms of biodiversity, climate regulation, food security and human well-being.
Today, NbS are financed by the European Union (EU), in particular through the LIFE programme, and recommended in strategic and regulatory texts. They are also on the agenda of the Belgian presidency, through its three priority themes for EU environment policy: adaptation and resilience, circular economy and just transition. As we will see below, the Brussels Region is a pioneer in the field of NbS. The Region implemented multiple projects based on this concept. These projects involve Brussels citizens and can count on a steady EU support.
Today, NbS are financed by the European Union (EU), in particular through the LIFE programme, and recommended in strategic and regulatory texts. They are also on the agenda of the Belgian presidency, through its three priority themes for EU environment policy: adaptation and resilience, circular economy and just transition. As we will see below, the Brussels Region is a pioneer in the field of NbS. The Region implemented multiple projects based on this concept. These projects involve Brussels citizens and can count on a steady EU support.
Did you know?
Nature-based Solutions as infrastructure are around 50% less expensive than "grey" infrastructure (roads, sewers, embankments, etc.). (Source: International Institute for Sustainable Development, 2021)
Cross-disciplinary subjects
In the past, climate and biodiversity, and even well-being and health, were considered separate issues requiring separate solutions. Yet science and various EU monitoring reports show that these issues are intrinsically linked.
This comprehensive approach is also advocated by the Belgian presidency of the Council of the EU, as NbS offer solutions that simultaneously address climate, biodiversity and human well-being, as part of the same system.
Environment protection and climate change are two aspects of the same problem, which affects many areas:
- green space management
- air quality
- water management
- biodiversity strengthening
- nature and climate risk management
- employment and the economy
- well-being and health
- construction and regional development
- soil regeneration
- cohesion and social justice, etc.
Europe is also stepping up its fight against climate change. The European Green Deal aims to set the EU on the path to ecological transition. The implementation of NbS is seen as essential to its major political priorities. The Belgian presidency is also an opportunity to promote this concept at European level.
The European Commission is actively leading awareness-raising initiatives at both EU and global levels, with the aim of achieving widespread NbS adoption.
Good to know
On 29 April, Brussels Environment and the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) are holding an informal round table as part of the Belgian presidency, on the theme of "Towards thriving territories: the potential of Nature-based solutions". High-level prospective studies will be presented for the first time, highlighting the full potential of NBS.
To make our societies and economies fairer and more sustainable, increasing public and private investment in NbS is a key element of the transition.
This is particularly true of research and innovation via the "Horizon Europe" programme (2021-2027). In "Horizon Europe", NbS are tested, deployed and promoted, and their benefits and impacts are assessed, particularly in the food, bioeconomy, natural resources, agriculture, environment and spatial planning sectors in general and urban planning in particular.
The Brussels Region is also adopting NbS
Environmental issues are, of course, part of Brussels Environment's DNA. And NbS are an essential component of its vision. To meet the Region's challenges, Brussels Environment has introduced an integrated approach to coordinate different environmental actions via the Brussels Code for Air, Climate, and Energy Management) (CoBrACE) and the Brussels Air, Climate, Energy Plan (PACE).
Recently, a project called renature.brussels, linked to NbS and led by Brussels Environment, was set up to encourage nature returning to the city, revegetation as well as the restoration and redeployment of biodiversity. This project contributes to the development of the green and blue network and the Brussels ecological network. The site centralises information on best ecological management practices and will gradually integrate some flagship projects carried out by the Region.
European-focused initiatives to collaborate with nature
Brussels Environment has contributed to several NbS initiatives to promote environmental sustainability and strengthen urban resilience in Brussels. These projects extend beyond our borders, emerging from discussions at European level. Here are a few examples.
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To take biodiversity into account in development projects, the Brussels Region has a diagnostic tool for buildings and green spaces: the CBS+ (which stands for "Coefficient of Biodiversity Potential per Reinforced Surface”). It is an indicator for assessing the ecological potential of a plot of land. The CBS tool was originally developed by another European capital, Berlin, for its urban development. The Brussels CBS+, inspired by the German CBS tool, is the ratio to be observed on any plot of land between surfaces that promote biodiversity and the total surface area of the plot.
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Parks, gardens, green roofs, urban farms, grassland, green walls, green spaces... the city is full of ecosystems that are essential to its inhabitants. The European Urban Nature Platform project aims to support cities in restoring nature and biodiversity. This platform helps local authorities draw up successful Urban Nature Plans for greener cities. The tool is based on the results of the European LIFE Preparatory Project "Urban Greening Plans", coordinated by Brussels Environment, in which five European cities and two associations identified best practices and potential obstacles to the development of nature plans.
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With a particular focus on schools, the COOLSCHOOLS project studies the impact of introducing nature-based climate shelters into schools. COOLSCHOOLS draws on the experience of four pioneering European projects to implement NbS for climate change adaptation in Brussels, Barcelona, Paris and Rotterdam. The Opération Ré-Création project, which greens schoolyards to make them pleasant, shared green spaces in the city, is helping to turn the results of COOLSCHOOLS research into reality.
And, finally, a word from the Belgian presidency...
Between now and the end of June, the Belgian presidency of the Council of the EU could play a constructive role in promoting and implementing Nature-based Solutions. It is a strong concept and a widely recognised approach to implementing the European Green Deal. The short-term objective will therefore be to convince the next European legislature (2024-2029) of the potential of NbS and encourage research and innovation in this field, by supporting project funding in the next multi-annual financial framework (MFF).
In the meantime, a number of initiatives are flourishing in Brussels and across Europe. New NbS are being studied and tested. As citizens, we can become involved locally by taking part in environmental protection initiatives such as waste management, greening our streets and facades and creating urban green spaces. By choosing sustainable, organic and nature-friendly products, we can support local farming or business practices that preserve natural ecosystems. And turn our gardens into refuges for biodiversity and habitats for local wildlife. Together, we can make Brussels a pleasant, caring... and nature-inspired city. In conclusion, we can all innovate using nature. Brussels Environment is also a partner that can support your initiatives.
In the meantime, a number of initiatives are flourishing in Brussels and across Europe. New NbS are being studied and tested. As citizens, we can become involved locally by taking part in environmental protection initiatives such as waste management, greening our streets and facades and creating urban green spaces. By choosing sustainable, organic and nature-friendly products, we can support local farming or business practices that preserve natural ecosystems. And turn our gardens into refuges for biodiversity and habitats for local wildlife. Together, we can make Brussels a pleasant, caring... and nature-inspired city. In conclusion, we can all innovate using nature. Brussels Environment is also a partner that can support your initiatives.