Benefits and implementation of nature-based solutions in response to societal challenges?

Abstract

Nature-based solutions are solutions to social problems that are based on opportunities created by nature and utilise ecosystem processes. They aim to solve large scale, interconnected problems with ecologically, socially and economically sustainable solutions and offer alternatives to conventional, technical solutions. Nature-based solutions have recently been emphasised by European commission, International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), researchers, and several other actors. We review how nature-based solutions have been conceptualised in literature, especially from the point of view of the benefits they produce and their distribution. We also discuss measures to promote the implementation of nature-based solutions in Finland on the basis of material collected in an expert workshop.