Understanding Nature-Based Solutions in the European Context

Nature-based solutions, often abbreviated as NbS, refer to actions that are inspired and supported by nature to address societal challenges such as climate change, biodiversity loss, and disaster risk reduction while providing human well-being and biodiversity benefits. The European Commission has promoted these approaches as cost-effective alternatives or complements to traditional grey infrastructure. Across the EU, NbS are gaining traction in urban planning, water management, coastal protection, and agricultural landscapes, supported by policies like the EU Biodiversity Strategy and the European Green Deal.

Recent research underscores both the potential and the persistent hurdles in scaling these solutions. Studies from 2025 highlight how NbS can enhance resilience to extreme weather events, yet implementation remains uneven due to regulatory, financial, and knowledge-related barriers. Universities and research institutions play a central role in generating the evidence base needed to overcome these obstacles.

The EU Nature Restoration Law as a Catalyst

The EU Nature Restoration Law, adopted in 2024, represents the first continent-wide binding framework for ecosystem restoration. It sets targets for restoring degraded habitats, including rivers, forests, peatlands, and marine areas, with the aim of reversing biodiversity decline by 2050. The law requires member states to develop national restoration plans and monitor progress, integrating NbS as key tools for achieving climate adaptation and mitigation goals.

Implementation of the law has sparked new research initiatives. For instance, analyses from 2025 and 2026 point to synergies with existing directives on habitats and water, but also reveal tensions in translating ambitious targets into actionable local measures. The European Environment Agency has contributed assessments showing how NbS can deliver multiple benefits, yet practical rollout depends on coordinated governance across EU, national, and regional levels.

Recent Research Findings on Implementation

A 2025 review in the journal Water examined NbS in European water management, identifying gaps in long-term monitoring data and weak integration into mainstream planning and financing systems. The study noted that while policy support is strong, challenges persist in assessing performance under future climate scenarios and ensuring cost-effectiveness compared to conventional interventions.

Another analysis of Horizon Europe-funded projects emphasized the need for large-scale pilots that address multiple challenges simultaneously, such as climate resilience and biodiversity. Reports from the European Commission’s research and innovation directorate in 2025 outlined pathways toward a nature-positive economy, drawing on insights from dozens of EU-funded initiatives. These publications stress the importance of adaptive management to avoid unintended consequences.

University-led research, including systematic reviews published in 2025, has mapped the evolution of NbS studies and identified under-represented areas like human health, food security, and economic development. This body of work provides a foundation for more targeted interventions across member states.

Key Governance and Policy Challenges

Fragmented responsibilities across sectors and administrative levels often hinder coherent NbS deployment. Water, land-use, and environmental authorities frequently operate in silos, leading to inconsistent standards and delayed projects. The Nature Restoration Law attempts to address this through national plans, but enforcement and coordination remain complex in federal or decentralized systems.

Policy barriers include varying legal frameworks among member states and difficulties in harmonizing approaches while meeting EU guidelines. Research from think tanks like IIASA has highlighted the need for reforms to the EU Taxonomy to better incentivize nature-positive investments. Without such adjustments, scaling NbS risks remaining limited to pilot projects rather than mainstream practice.

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Financing and Economic Barriers

Estimates suggest annual restoration costs across the EU could reach €8.2 billion, yet available biodiversity funding covers only a fraction. Public budgets compete with priorities like renewable energy transitions, leaving gaps for long-term NbS maintenance. Private finance currently represents a small share of total investments, constrained by project scale, high transaction costs, and uncertain returns over extended timeframes.

Studies on financing barriers note that small individual project sizes and limited data on benefits deter institutional investors. Initiatives under the LIFE Programme and Horizon Europe aim to bridge these gaps through blended finance models, but broader market reforms are needed to attract sustained capital.

Knowledge, Monitoring, and Capacity Gaps

A recurring theme in recent publications is the scarcity of long-term performance data for NbS. Without robust monitoring, comparing outcomes to grey infrastructure proves difficult, and adaptive management becomes challenging. Transdisciplinary expertise—combining ecology, hydrology, social sciences, and engineering—is essential yet often lacking in project teams.

Co-creation with stakeholders, including marginalised communities, youth, and Indigenous groups, is frequently insufficient. Reports from NetworkNature+ in 2025 documented persistent exclusion of these voices, undermining legitimacy and local relevance. Capacity building at regional and local levels is therefore critical for effective design and implementation.

Case Studies and Regional Variations

Urban NbS projects in cities across Europe demonstrate successes in flood mitigation and heat reduction, yet scaling to rural or marine environments reveals distinct hurdles. Coastal and marine NbS, explored in 2025 studies, face additional complexities from cross-border governance and climate impacts on restored ecosystems.

Examples from Horizon-funded initiatives like A-AAgora illustrate innovative governance structures for coastal resilience. In water management, projects highlight the value of ecosystem-based agricultural approaches, though protection-focused efforts remain less common. These cases underscore the need for context-specific adaptations rather than one-size-fits-all models.

The Role of Research Institutions and Higher Education

European universities and research organisations are central to advancing NbS knowledge. Horizon Europe calls for 2026 emphasise mainstreaming evidence-based solutions and addressing knowledge gaps identified by IPBES assessments. Institutions contribute through large-scale pilots, tool development for risk assessment, and training programmes that build practitioner capacity.

PhD programmes and postdoctoral positions increasingly focus on NbS governance, monitoring technologies, and socio-economic impacts. This creates opportunities for early-career researchers to engage with real-world policy challenges. Collaborations between academia, public agencies, and the private sector are expanding, fostering interdisciplinary approaches essential for overcoming implementation barriers.

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Stakeholder Perspectives and Broader Implications

Policymakers at the European Commission stress the urgency of strategic investment and regulatory coherence. Local authorities highlight the need for simplified permitting and dedicated funding streams. Researchers emphasise evidence-based design to minimise risks, while civil society groups call for inclusive processes that address equity concerns.

These perspectives converge on the recognition that NbS offer co-benefits for biodiversity, climate, and well-being, yet success hinges on systemic reforms. Implications extend to job creation in green sectors and enhanced resilience for European communities facing climate pressures.

Future Outlook and Pathways Forward

Looking ahead, 2026 conferences and research calls signal continued momentum. The European Commission’s incubator programmes and expanded Taxonomy aim to unlock private investment. Strengthened monitoring frameworks and stakeholder engagement protocols could accelerate progress under the Nature Restoration Law.

Success will depend on sustained political commitment, cross-sectoral collaboration, and investment in human capital through higher education. By addressing current challenges head-on, the EU can position NbS as a cornerstone of a resilient, nature-positive economy.