Effectiveness and efficiency assessment of nature-based solutions for climate adaptation

In recent years, there has been a shift towards the implementation of nature-based solutions (NBS). The concept of NBS generally encompasses all kinds of strategies and approaches that utilize nature or natural processes to address societal challenges, such as climate change. In the context of climate change adaptation, NBS can help to increase the resilience of an area towards climate risks. NBS are not an entirely new concept, but its implementation is still in its infancy. One reason for the tardy uptake of NBS in practice is the lack of information regarding the effectiveness and efficiency of NBS.

The M-project "Effectiveness and efficiency assessment of nature-based solutions for climate adaptation" is embedded into the research project "LAND4CLIMATE" which works on utilizing private land for NBS to advance towards a climate-resilient Europe. LAND4CLIMATE wants to co-design and validate NBS on private land through implementation with innovative strategies of land policy in areas with multiple risks, such as floods, droughts and urban heat. LAND4CLIMATE operationalizes this objective in six regions in Austria, Czechia, Germany, Italy, Romania and Slovakia by:

1. Identifying cause and effect relations of climate risks (WP 1) and NBS to allocate NBS effectively and efficiently (WP 2)

2.Developing governance and business models (WP 3) to implement legitimate and just strategies of land policy for NBS on private land (WP 4)

3. Enabling successful replication and upscaling (WP 5).

The master project will contribute to WP 2 that focuses on an ex-ante assessment of NBS implementation in terms of effectiveness and efficiency in the six regions. In particular, the students are asked to develop a methodological framework and indicators for the evaluation of NBS effectiveness and efficiency. The methods used can include but are not limited to literature research, expert interviews and site visits.

The aim of the M-project is to help students gain a deeper understanding of the concept of NBS and its implementation in the field of climate adaptation. Depending on the number of students, the project could focus on one or multiple of the presented regions in Germany and/or abroad. The results of the M-project will be used for the preparation of reports for LAND4CLIMATE and journal publications in English. Therefore, there is a possibility of co-authorship for students.

Dates: Monday, 14.10.2024 to 27.01.2025 , 08:30 to 11:45, weekly
Wednesday, 09.10.2024 to 29.01.2025 , 08:30 to 11:45, weekly
Location: GB III, R 310
Further information: Event in LSF
Supervision: Prof. Dr. Stefan Greiving