Unlocking nature’s potential across the budget lines

Nature-based Solutions (NbS) are multifunctional approaches that deliver simultaneous benefits for biodiversity, society and the economy. Despite their proven effectiveness, there remains a gap in NbS finance, both public and private. Investment models continue to rely heavily on public grants, with EU funding programmes representing the main funding source, while other incentives for implementing NbS remain limited.

At the same time, the multifunctionality of NbS opens up new and largely untapped opportunities. Beyond environmental and biodiversity objectives, NbS can contribute to public health, climate regulation, disaster risk reduction and water management, among others. They can be an integral part of circular solutions and business models across sectors. As a result of this multifunctionality, funding allocated to these policy areas can, when strategically aligned, also become direct investment in NbS and help close the NbS financing gap.

This session will bring together public and private stakeholders who have successfully leveraged funding for NbS, or are looking for such opportunities, through demonstrations of NbS integration in already established budget lines and business models, replacing operations that are more harmful and building on the multiple co-benefits they bring. Practical examples will be portrayed from the experiences of projects, municipalities, businesses and practitioners.

Through real-life case studies and emerging evidence, participants will leave the session inspired to explore whether NbS are suitable solutions for their activities, whether they are a public or private entity.

The session will also explore the benefits and challenges of these investment and financing approaches, including their effectiveness in addressing the NbS financing gap, their role in shifting mindsets to NbS as ‘go-to’ solutions and breaking commonly known siloed approaches. At the same time, attention will be given to the potential narratives these approaches may create, for instance where the protection and restoration of nature risks being framed primarily as a tool for delivering other goals, as opposed to a goal in its own right.

Ultimately, the discussion will focus on how systems can be better organised to address the biodiversity crisis, and how the ecological value of the chosen solutions can be ensured.

For this session, the organiser will collaborate with NetworkNature and the Ellen MacArthur Foundation.