Co-benefits of nature-based solutions exceed the costs of implementation
Summary: Nature-based solutions offer multiple benefits for ecosystems and societies, supporting their inclusion in policy and practice. This study contributes to closing the gap in quantifying the multiple outcomes of nature-based solutions by assessing 83 nature-based solutions in the Alps. We ass...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Elsevier
2025-03-01
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| Series: | Cell Reports Sustainability |
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| Online Access: | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2949790625000321 |
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| author | Alberto González-García Ignacio Palomo Anna Codemo Mirco Rodeghiero Titouan Dubo Améline Vallet Sandra Lavorel |
| author_facet | Alberto González-García Ignacio Palomo Anna Codemo Mirco Rodeghiero Titouan Dubo Améline Vallet Sandra Lavorel |
| author_sort | Alberto González-García |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Summary: Nature-based solutions offer multiple benefits for ecosystems and societies, supporting their inclusion in policy and practice. This study contributes to closing the gap in quantifying the multiple outcomes of nature-based solutions by assessing 83 nature-based solutions in the Alps. We assessed biodiversity co-benefits and the monetary value of four ecosystem services (heatwave mitigation, flood regulation, climate regulation, and landslide protection) provided by these nature-based solutions to their respective beneficiaries. Forest nature-based solutions showed high values for the four ecosystem services, river and wetland nature-based solutions showed high values for biodiversity, and urban nature-based solutions contributed a lower biodiversity value but were highly cost effective, benefiting a larger population. We estimated a 2.8:1 return on investment benefiting a total of 91,324 persons. We highlight the need for integrating biodiversity and multiple ecosystem services for future nature-based solutions funding and implementation, together with their role to mitigate and adapt to climate change. Science for society: Nature-based solutions are a promising strategy for mitigating and adapting to climate change, as they provide multiple benefits to society and biodiversity. However, detailed quantitative analyses of these benefits and the cost effectiveness of such initiatives are limited. In this study, we present an analysis of 83 nature-based solutions in the Alps, where we quantified heatwave mitigation, flood regulation, carbon sequestration, and landslide protection. We also assessed the number of people who benefited, the monetary value of these benefits, and the associated costs.Our results highlight the need for an integrated approach to planning nature-based solutions. Forest nature-based solutions offer a wide range of benefits, while river and wetland nature-based solutions are more beneficial for biodiversity. Urban nature-based solutions, despite their high cost effectiveness, contribute less to biodiversity but are located where people can enjoy their benefits. Overall, the analyzed solutions show a return on investment of 2.8 EUR per EUR invested. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-951e5b4a817b4dfc9a91628a3759c4af |
| institution | DOAJ |
| issn | 2949-7906 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-03-01 |
| publisher | Elsevier |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Cell Reports Sustainability |
| spelling | doaj-art-951e5b4a817b4dfc9a91628a3759c4af2025-08-20T02:49:23ZengElsevierCell Reports Sustainability2949-79062025-03-012310033610.1016/j.crsus.2025.100336Co-benefits of nature-based solutions exceed the costs of implementationAlberto González-García0Ignacio Palomo1Anna Codemo2Mirco Rodeghiero3Titouan Dubo4Améline Vallet5Sandra Lavorel6Univ. Grenoble-Alpes, IRD, CNRS, Grenoble INP, IGE, 38000 Grenoble, France; Corresponding authorUniv. Grenoble-Alpes, IRD, CNRS, Grenoble INP, IGE, 38000 Grenoble, FranceDepartment of Civil, Environmental and Mechanical Engineering, University of Trento, Via Mesiano 77, 38123 Trento, ItalyCentro Agricoltura, Alimenti, Ambiente, Università di Trento, Via E. Mach 1, 38010 San Michele all'Adige, TN, ItalyLaboratoire d’Ecologie Alpine, UMR 5553, CNRS-UGA-USMB, CS 40700, 38058 Grenoble cedex 9, FranceUniversité Paris-Saclay, CNRS, AgroParisTech, Ecologie Systématique et Evolution, 91190 Gif-sur-Yvette, France; Université Paris-Saclay, AgroParisTech, CNRS, Ecole des Ponts ParisTech, Cirad, EHESS, UMR CIRED, 94130 Nogent-sur-Marne, FranceLaboratoire d’Ecologie Alpine, UMR 5553, CNRS-UGA-USMB, CS 40700, 38058 Grenoble cedex 9, FranceSummary: Nature-based solutions offer multiple benefits for ecosystems and societies, supporting their inclusion in policy and practice. This study contributes to closing the gap in quantifying the multiple outcomes of nature-based solutions by assessing 83 nature-based solutions in the Alps. We assessed biodiversity co-benefits and the monetary value of four ecosystem services (heatwave mitigation, flood regulation, climate regulation, and landslide protection) provided by these nature-based solutions to their respective beneficiaries. Forest nature-based solutions showed high values for the four ecosystem services, river and wetland nature-based solutions showed high values for biodiversity, and urban nature-based solutions contributed a lower biodiversity value but were highly cost effective, benefiting a larger population. We estimated a 2.8:1 return on investment benefiting a total of 91,324 persons. We highlight the need for integrating biodiversity and multiple ecosystem services for future nature-based solutions funding and implementation, together with their role to mitigate and adapt to climate change. Science for society: Nature-based solutions are a promising strategy for mitigating and adapting to climate change, as they provide multiple benefits to society and biodiversity. However, detailed quantitative analyses of these benefits and the cost effectiveness of such initiatives are limited. In this study, we present an analysis of 83 nature-based solutions in the Alps, where we quantified heatwave mitigation, flood regulation, carbon sequestration, and landslide protection. We also assessed the number of people who benefited, the monetary value of these benefits, and the associated costs.Our results highlight the need for an integrated approach to planning nature-based solutions. Forest nature-based solutions offer a wide range of benefits, while river and wetland nature-based solutions are more beneficial for biodiversity. Urban nature-based solutions, despite their high cost effectiveness, contribute less to biodiversity but are located where people can enjoy their benefits. Overall, the analyzed solutions show a return on investment of 2.8 EUR per EUR invested.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2949790625000321multifunctionalitybiodiversitysustainabilityclimate change adaptationlandscape planning |
| spellingShingle | Alberto González-García Ignacio Palomo Anna Codemo Mirco Rodeghiero Titouan Dubo Améline Vallet Sandra Lavorel Co-benefits of nature-based solutions exceed the costs of implementation Cell Reports Sustainability multifunctionality biodiversity sustainability climate change adaptation landscape planning |
| title | Co-benefits of nature-based solutions exceed the costs of implementation |
| title_full | Co-benefits of nature-based solutions exceed the costs of implementation |
| title_fullStr | Co-benefits of nature-based solutions exceed the costs of implementation |
| title_full_unstemmed | Co-benefits of nature-based solutions exceed the costs of implementation |
| title_short | Co-benefits of nature-based solutions exceed the costs of implementation |
| title_sort | co benefits of nature based solutions exceed the costs of implementation |
| topic | multifunctionality biodiversity sustainability climate change adaptation landscape planning |
| url | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2949790625000321 |
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