TURNING NATURE-BASED SOLUTIONS INTO INCLUSIVE CLIMATE ACTIONS

Organizers

Jannes Willems, University of Amsterdam
Alina Hossu, University of Bucharest

Presenters

Andresa Lêdo Marques, University of Lisbon
Janneke den Dekker-Arlain, Utrecht University
Danielle MacCarthy, University of Amsterdam
Alina Hossu, University of Bucharest
Sara Torabi, Politecnico di Torino
Diana-Andreea Onose, University of Bucharest

The concept of nature-based solutions (NbS) has been widely embraced by both research and practice to address contemporary urban challenges including climate mitigation and adaptation. However, as saturation points which evidence the positive benefits of nature are now being reached, research is now increasingly contesting the term, and its underlying principles, values, planning approaches, and implementation. Current NbS practice commonly reveals failures in addressing urban inequalities and practice persists in serving elite actors in cities. Moreover, NbS practice tends to adopt an instrumental take on nature, in which nature is turned into a commodity that should serve societal or economic values (e.g. providing flood protection, recreation opportunities or other ‘ecosystem services’). Consequently, scholars warn that nature could be (further) exploited if we fail to appreciate the intrinsic value of nature.

To address and interrogate the concerns raised above, this Special Session will examine how Nature-based Solutions can be turned into Inclusive Climate Actions (ICAs). We define Inclusive Climate Actions as actions that aim to reduce climate impacts for the most vulnerable populations, ensure a fair distribution of burdens and benefits among communities and ecosystems, and recognise the needs and desires of communities and ecosystems. We bring together urban planning researchers from different European research institutes that are at the forefront of linking the concept of NbS to questions of justice. The six presenters employ new conceptualisations of environmental justice, reflected in concepts such as intersectional climate justice, decolonial approaches, multispecies justice, and novel imaginaries of nature. Building on these conceptualisations, presenters are invited to critically reflect on the justice implications of current NbS practice in Europe and beyond, and to present more just ways forward. 

To enhance engagement among presenters, each presenter will also act as a discussant for another presentation. The session will close with a plenary discussion. The Special Session organisers have the ambition to develop a joint submission for a Special Issue in a leading urban planning journal.  

Key words: Nature-based Solutions; Justice; Inclusion; Climate Actions; Adaptation