How to make use of biodiversity-related goods and services in economic sectors?

If nature is destroyed, human life would cease to exist.

© Roel Slootweg

Restoration of nature is increasingly important in improving the health and resilience of our planet. The economic sectors that have long been responsible for degradation can also play a role in undoing the damage and restoring the natural cycles of life (e.g. an agro-ecological approach to food production instead of monoculture, or joint planning for green and grey infrastructure instead of only seeking to mitigate damage).

We need to replace our focus from avoiding, mitigating or compensating negative impacts (i.e. ‘do no harm’ through the mitigation hierarchy) to actively seek to take stock of the many opportunities for biodiversity enhancement (‘do good’).

The European Union (EU) Greening Facility has provided some insight through an essay and a series of case studies to support the staff of the European Commission directorate-generals INTPA and NEAR, including EU Delegations in the world, in their mission to promote and implement the Green Deal’s ‘do no harm’ approach, in the light of the upcoming Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD COP15).

The essay ‘Biodiversity mainstreaming in and by economic sectors’ presents basic concepts, approaches, instruments and tips to stop working against nature and instead start working with it, for the benefit of people, the economy and nature itself. Eight case studies, developed by the EU Greening Facility, present concrete measures implemented by different economic sectors in countries around the world.

The Case of the Brague Demonstration Site in Southern France, presents how nature-based solutions (NbS) for flood risk mitigation in the Brague catchment are economically more beneficial than traditional grey engineering solutions in the water management sector.

The Case of the Green Belt of Vitoria-Gasteiz, in Spain, aimed at restoring and recovering the peripheral areas around the city, shows how green infrastructure within the city contributes to climate adaptation (reducing heat stress and improving flood management), mitigation (carbon sequestration), and a clean and healthy living environment. The belt now has one official Ramsar wetland site and two Natura 2000 sites, winning international recognition for their high environmental value.

The Case of the Trust for the Management of the Coastal Zone in Quintana Roo, Mexico, demonstrates the success of the world’s first coral reef insurance policy, which based on its protective service and combined with the improvement of the post-storm response capacity has helped in the recovery of the coral reef and beaches usually affected by hurricanes and storms, benefiting nature, people and tourism companies.

The Case of Large Mammals in the Alpine-Carpathian-Dinaric region is a good example of biodiversity enhancement in transport sector development, through a coordinated effort that allowed green (and blue) and grey infrastructure to be integrated into planning.

The Case of the VERENIKE project in Greece highlights that post-fire reforestation may be implemented with a large number of different species, instead of monocultures, to increase resistance to forest fires and enhance the biodiversity of burnt forest ecosystems.

The Case of the project Clima East for the Sustainable Management of Pastures and Forests in NEAR East Countries shows that intact ecosystems can have a strong and cost-effective, positive effect, both on climate change mitigation and adaptation. Through this project over 66 000 hectares of key ecosystems and at least 57 key species of flora and fauna have either reduced climate-related threats and/or improved their biodiversity status. The ecosystem-based approach combined with rural development, sustainable land management and sustainable livelihood strategies established community-centred solutions to climate change.

The Case of Phyto-remediation of Contaminated Agricultural Soil (ECOREMED project) is a good example of cost-effective mainstreaming of biodiversity in the waste sector. Compared to other chemical and physical techniques, which can cost 20 to 50 times more, the use of green plants and associated microorganisms to clean up contaminated soils preserved soil resources and improved ecosystem services of the soil in Italy, requiring low input soil management techniques (such as soil ripping to reduce soil compaction and compost fertilisation) and permanent soil covering by vegetation.

The Case of Solar Parks in Germany aims to inspire you in the integration of biodiversity in the energy sector. The reviewed experience shows how biodiversity can be improved in degraded areas and areas of low biodiversity value destined for a sustainable energy project, including agricultural activities, such as beekeeping, grazing, cultivation of crops by nurseries, among others.

If you need some advice, get in touch with the EU Greening Facility by writing to:

INTPA-GREENING-FACILITY@ec.europa.eu | NEAR-GREENING-FACILITY@ec.europa.eu