Assessment of the Potential of Ecosystem-based Approaches to Climate Change Adaptation and Mitigation in Europe

Publication: Report
Citation: Naumann, Sandra, Gerardo Anzaldua, Pam Berry, Sarah Burch, McKenna Davis, Ana Frelih-Larsen, Holger Gerdes and Michele Sanders (2011): Assessment of the potential of ecosystem-based approaches to climate change adaptation and mitigation in Europe. Final report to the European Commission, DG Environment, Contract no. 070307/2010/580412/SER/B2, Ecologic Institute and Environmental Change Institute, Oxford University Centre for the Environment

This study aimed to address current knowledge gaps regarding the uptake and implementation of ecosystem-based approaches, and thereby gain a better understanding of their role and potential in climate change adaptation and mitigation in Europe. A database of 161 applicable projects, five in-depth case studies, targeted interviews with European Commission officials and a literature review served as the basis for this assessment. Using these sources, this study sought to illuminate the success factors leading to and obstacles hindering the implementation of ecosystem-based approaches in climate change programmes at local, regional, national and transnational levels and provide appropriate recommendations for overcoming existing obstacles. Furthermore, evidence on the costs and benefits of ecosystem-based approaches has been collected and compared to the costs and benefits of traditional engineered approaches for addressing climate change and its impacts.

Addressing the effects of climate change via adaptation measures and the implementation of mitigation measures is central to ensuring continued ecosystem functioning, human health and socio-economic security.

Ecosystem-based Approaches for Climate Change Adaptation and Mitigation

Dec 2010 - Sep 2011

Language: English
Authorship: Sandra Naumann

Gerardo Anzaldúa

Holger Gerdes

Dr. Ana Frelih-Larsen

McKenna Davis

Pam Berry, Sarah Burch, Michele Sanders (ECI)
Credits: External reviewers of the report:
Nathalie Doswald (Programme Officer, Climate Change and Biodiversity, UNEP - World Conservation Monitoring Centre)
Claire Vos (Alterra, Wageningen University and Research Centre)
Case study authors and contacts/interviewees:
Restoring Peatlands in Belarus
Author: Gerardo Anzaldua (Ecologic Insitute)
Contacts: Zbigniew Karpowicz, Sviataslau Valasiuk, Olga Chabrouskaya, Irina Voitekhovitch, Annett Thiele, Merten Minke, Mikhail Maksimenkau, Nina Tanovitskaya, Natalya Minchenko, Collaborators at the Lida Forest Enterprise, Director of the Lida Peat Factory
Retrofitting Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems (SUDS) in an urban regeneration area (Augustenborg, Malmö), Sweden
Author: Sarah Burch (Environmental Change Institute, University of Oxford)
Contacts: Trevor Ian Graham, Marianne Beckmann
Forest rehabilitation Krkonoše and Sumava National Parks, Czech Republic
Authors: Fanny Frick, McKenna Davis (Ecologic Institute)
Contacts: Jan Hřebačka, Josef Fanta, Adam Jirsa
Wallasea Island Wild Coast Project, UK
Author: Sarah Burch (Environmental Change Institute, University of Oxford)
Contacts: Chris Tyas, Jeff Kew
De Doorbraak, the Netherlands
Authors: Franziska Stuke, Ruta Landgrebe (Ecologic Institute)
Contacts: Henk Lansink, Roelof Klem
Funding: European Commission, Directorate-General Environment (DG Environment), International
Published by: Ecologic Institute, Germany
Year: 2011
Dimension: 122 pp.
Project: Ecosystem-based Approaches for Climate Change Adaptation and Mitigation
Project ID: 2345
Table of contents: Click to show full table of contents

1 Executive Summary
2 Introduction
2.1 Background
2.2 Objectives
2.3 Sources of data
2.4 Analytical Framework
3 Spectrum of projects using ecosystem-based approaches
4 Integration of ecosystem-based approaches into EU policies and national adaptation strategies
4.1 EU Strategies
4.2 National Strategies
4.2.1 Ecosystem-based approaches to adaptation
4.2.2 Ecosystem-based approaches to mitigation
4.3 Sector Strategies
4.3.1 Ecosystem-based approaches to adaptation
4.3.2 Ecosystem-based approaches to mitigation
4.4 Cross-sectoral issues
4.5 Barriers to integration at the EU and national level
4.6 Discussion and conclusions
5 Process of design and implementation of ecosystem-based approaches at project level
5.1 Drivers behind the application of ecosystem-based approaches
5.2 Project set-up and implementation
5.2.1 Management structure
5.2.2 Financing of projects
5.2.3 Monitoring and evaluation
5.2.4 Building public awareness and stakeholder involvement
5.3 Barriers and Opportunities
5.3.1 Capacity issues
5.3.2 Structural or operational issues
5.3.3 Organizational culture, individual behaviour and awareness
5.3.4 Regulations, policies and legislation
5.3.5 Political and socioeconomic context
5.4 Concluding remarks
6 Cost and benefits of projects using ecosystem-based approaches
6.1 Cost and benefit typology
6.2 Case study results
6.2.1 Wallasea Island Wild Coast (UK)
6.2.2 Augustenborg, Malmö (SE)
6.2.3 De Doorbraak (NL)
6.2.4 Forest Rehabilitation Krkonose and Sumava National Parks (CZ)
6.2.5 Restoring peatlands in Belarus (BY)
6.3 Comparison to traditional engineered approaches
6.4 Concluding remarks
7 Lessons and recommendations for future projects using ecosystem-based approaches
7.1 Application of ecosystem-based approaches in Europe
7.2 Strengthening the integration of ecosystem-based approaches at EU level
7.3 Success factors enhancing the integration and implementation of ecosystem-based approaches at national and regional level
8 References
Annex A: EU Policy papers and strategies reviewed
Annex B: Detailed adaptation actions for biodiversity
Keywords: Adaptation

Biodiversity

Climate

Belarus, Augustenborg, Malmö, Sweden, Krkonoše and Sumava National Parks, Czech Republic, Wallasea Island, UK, De Doorbraak, the Netherlands

case study, interview

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