An impact evaluation framework to support the planning and evaluation of nature-based solutions projects: Insights from the EKLIPSE Expert Working Group
This presentation will provide an overview of the theoretical framework used for guiding the assessment of NBS impacts within and across 10 climate resilience challenge areas, a description of the quick scoping review procedure used to identify and synthesise key impacts, indicators and methods for each challenge and a synthesis of key findings and future research directions.
The European Commission requested the EKLIPSE project to help build up an evidence and knowledge base on the benefits and challenges of applying nature-based solutions (NBS) in urban areas. In response to the request, an EKLIPSE Expert Working Group (EWG) developed an impact evaluation framework with a list of criteria for assessing the performance of NBS in dealing with challenges related to climate resilience in urban areas, as well as an application guide for measuring how NBS projects fare against the identified indicators in delivering co-benefits.
Over 1,700 publications were considered as part of the review process. It was found that NBS can have environmental, social and economic benefits and/or costs both within and across climate resilience challenge areas. In some instances, benefits in one challenge area can lead to costs or neutral effects in other areas. Previous work found similar trends only with respect to the assessment of ecosystem service values, synergies and trade-offs, or in relation to specific climate change interventions. Future research would benefit from: 1) the systematic consideration of NBS co-benefits and costs within and across challenge areas, and geographic and temporal scales; 2) public participation and governance processes for weaving multiple forms and systems of knowledge into NBS design, delivery and implementation; and 3) further consideration of how existing or new urban planning regimes could interact with the science of NBS assessment.
Venue: SIWI – Conference room ‘Ocean’
Venue address: Linnegatan 87A, Stockholm
Venue URL
Dr Raymond is an Interdisciplinary Social Scientist from the Department of Landscape Architecture, Planning and Management at the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences who is passionate about developing new ways of engaging local communities in initiatives that support environmental sustainability and human well-being. He works in partnership with local, regional and international groups to develop tools and processes for combining multiple types of values and knowledge into environmental planning and decision-making, and for assessing the impact of environmental solutions, policies and programs on individual and group values, behaviour and self-reported well-being. In 2016, he was the co-Chair of the EKLIPSE Expert Working Group on Nature-based Solutions to Support Climate Resilience in Urban Areas. A NBS impact assessment framework was developed by this group (downloadable from here at the EKLIPSE website ). For further information about Dr Raymond’s interests go to www.christophermraymond.com
Dr Christopher M. Raymond
Senior Researcher
Department of Landscape Architecture, Planning and Management, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
Co-chair, EKLIPSE Expert Working Group on Nature-based Solutions to Promote Climate Resilience in Urban Areas