A new handbook gives guidance and practical examples for the implementation of nature-based solutions across various ecosystems and for specific societal challenges.
Researchers from six Nordic countries have joint forces to make information about the implementation of nature-based solutions (NbS) available to practitioners, local authorities and the public.
“The handbook includes guidance for the practical implementation of nature-based solutions across six ecosystems: coastal areas, cultural landscapes, forests, mountains, urban areas, and wetlands. You can also search for nature-based solutions to address specific societal challenges”, NINA-researcher Tessa Bargmann explains.
The work is presented on the web page nbsguide.org, with information available in seven languages; English, Norwegian, Icelandic, Finnish, Faroese, Swedish and Danish. The project is financed by the Nordic Council of Ministers. It was led by NINA with Aarhus University, the Natural Resources Institute Finland, the Faroe Islands National Museum, the Agricultural University of Iceland, the Norwegian Institute for Water Research and Lund University as partners.
“The handbook gives examples on planning, design, implementation, and operation of the nature- based solutions using lessons learned from other Nordic projects!”, says Bargmann.
Guidance in the handbook answers the following questions:
- What is the NbS, where can it be used, and what to think about when planning a NbS project?
- Which societal challenges can the NbS address?
- What are the potential outcomes, potential costs, and how much do we know about the NbS?
A parallel project, A-DVICE, also funded by the Nordic Council of Ministers , has produced a complementary handbook focusing on policies, such as strategies, incentive programs and laws that may be useful when planning NbS in the Nordic region. It was led by Norwegian Institute for Water Research (NIVA) with Ensucon AB, Norion Consult, University of Iceland and VTT as partners.
“We hope that these handbooks will make it easier for practitioners and others interested in using NbS to plan successful NbS projects, and that the handbooks will help to mainstream the use of NbS in the Nordic countries, says research director Leonard Sandin.
Contact:
Tessa Barmann
Leonard Sandin