Using nature-based solutions to foster synergies between biodiversity and climate

Nature-based solutions have been gaining attention as effective solutions to address important global challenges. As the world battles with the COVID-19 crisis, increased awareness on its link to the exploitation of nature is generating momentum towards improving our relationship with nature.

This shift is urgently needed as a range of recent reports draw attention to a continued, unprecedented decline in biodiversity, both globally and in Europe. As protecting and restoring nature is key to tackling climate change, solutions that harness the power of nature can create opportunities that help achieve both biodiversity and climate objectives, while delivering important socioeconomic benefits.

In this Think2030 breakfast briefing, IEEP and Ecologic Institute will present their paper on how EU policies and investments have spurred the uptake of nature-based solutions to support biodiversity and ecosystem health. This paper outlines remaining gaps and opportunities on how to best scale up efforts to meet the current EU policy framework’s 2030 objectives. It provides ideas for how the new EU Restoration Plan could be operationalised through concrete tools, measures and strategies to allow Member States to scale up their efforts, while complementing existing policies and contributing to the broader European Green Deal agenda.

Speakers will focus on presenting examples of nature-based solutions at local and national scales and how these can be scaled up to have significant impact at the landscape level. Additionally, we will be discussing the business case for nature-based solutions and how to mobilise private investments.