Nature-based Solutions (NbS) are increasingly recognized as effective approaches to address environmental and societal challenges. By working with nature, these solutions help protect biodiversity, reduce climate-related risks, and improve human well-being. In the Mediterranean, where pressures such as urbanization, pollution, and biodiversity loss are particularly high, NbS offer a powerful way to restore balance between people and ecosystems while promoting sustainable development.
In collaboration with Tour du Valat, the Mediterranean Biodiversity Consortium (MBC), and the Rest-Coast project, published a new literature review, “Nature-based Solutions in the Mediterranean Region: A look back and moving forward “, in the Journal for Nature Conservation. The study analyses scientific articles, policy papers, and guidelines to understand how NbS are applied across the Mediterranean and identifies the recommendations from these experiences.
It highlights that interdisciplinary collaboration, participatory approaches, and strong governance frameworks are crucial for effective implementation. The research also emphasizes the need for political commitment, adapted funding mechanisms, and better communication to make NbS more impactful and inclusive.
The Mediterranean Biodiversity Consortium and Nature-based Solutions
The MBC is actively advancing the use of NbS through the RESCOM project, its first major regional initiative. RESCOM focuses on enhancing the social and ecological resilience of Mediterranean ecosystems by implementing NbS in nine pilot sites across Albania, Egypt, Italy, Libya, Montenegro, Morocco, Tunisia, and Türkiye.
Through these pilot initiatives and related activities, the MBC works with local partners to demonstrate tangible restoration efforts, strengthen the capacity of managers and local stakeholders, and support small-scale NbS projects through dedicated grants. On a regional level, it also facilitates knowledge sharing. Together, these activities make NbS a cornerstone of the MBC’s mission to protect and restore Mediterranean biodiversity.
Article abstract
Urbanization and agricultural intensification have an important impact on biodiversity around the Mediterranean basin. One response has been the take-up of the concept of Nature-based Solutions, notably promoted by the International Union for Conservation of Nature. Although the term is widely employed, there is great discrepancy in the definition, use, and intended biodiversity and/or societal impacts. We conducted a literature review on the state of the art of Nature-based Solutions in the Mediterranean basin, identifying the obstacles concerning their implementation and highlighting recommendations for overcoming these difficulties. The study analysed over 200 documents including scientific articles, guidelines and policy documents. Recommendations were grouped into categories (Governance, Funding, Integration, and Technical aspects) and key messages were identified. The results showed that interdisciplinarity and participative practices are essential and that systematic and political changes are needed. Selecting and adapting Nature-based Solutions to fit specific social and ecological contexts and responding to trade-offs and inequalities were highlighted as prerequisites. Public communication and funding schemes were also important levers for improving implementation. The results show that although Mediterranean-specific NbS remain an emerging topic in scientific literature, a broad range of other types of documents, including international academic articles, can be useful for local practitioners.
Citation:
Ernoul, B. Hetherington, Nature-based Solutions in the Mediterranean Region: A look back and moving forward, Journal for Nature Conservation (2025), doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jnc.2025.127109
