Strategies and policies
As sustainable use of land and nature-based solutions in the cities are key determining factors for the quality of life in cities, the partnership on Sustainable Land Use worked on proposals for better regulation, funding and knowledge in this area.
The EU’s biodiversity strategy for 2030 is a comprehensive, ambitious and long-term plan to protect nature and reverse the degradation of ecosystems, that aims to put Europe's biodiversity on a path to recovery by 2030. A key part of the strategy is to promote healthy and vibrant urban ecosystems.
This strategy aims to stop the loss of green urban space including tree canopy cover, and then steadily increase them. It also calls upon all cities and towns over 20,000 in habitants to develop ambitious urban greening plans – to ensure that green infrastructure and nature-based solutions are systematically integrated into urban planning process.
EU biodiversity strategy to 2030
The EU Research and Innovation policy agenda on Nature-Based Solutions and Re-Naturing Cities aims to position the EU as leader in ‘Innovating with nature’ for more sustainable and resilient societies.
Other links
2030 agenda for sustainable development
Action plan for resilience in crisis prone countries2013-2020
Action plan for the future of organic production in the EU
Guidelines on best practice to limit, mitigate or compensate soil sealing
Leipzig Charter on Sustainable European Cities (2007)
Toledo informal ministerial meeting on urban development - Declaration (2010)
Thematic strategy on the sustainable use of natural resources
Urban data and studies
Copernicus: The European Earth observation programme
European Business and Biodiversity (B@B) Platform
European Environment Agency (EEA)
Biodiversity Information System for Europe
Land-Use-based Integrated Sustainability Assessment modelling platform (LUISA)
Study supporting potential land targets under the 2014 land communication
Funding opportunities and advice
Programmes and funding opportunities
European Fund for Strategic Investments (EFSI)
European Structural and Investment Funds (ESIF)
Natural Capital Financing Facility (NCFF)
Urban Innovative Actions (UIA)
Advice and technical assistance
European Investment Advisory Hub (from end of 2021: InvestEU Advisory Hub))
Joint Assistance to Support Projects in European Regions (JASPERS)
References
Beginner's Guide to EU Funding
Accessing regional-policy funds
Networking
Awards
European Green Capital Award (EGCA)
Project examples
LIFE+
GreenClimeAdapt - Green tools for urban climate adaptation (pdf)
GreenCLimeAdapt aimed to demonstrate how cities can address and adapt to the impacts of climate change (including increased rainfall and urban heat island) via green tools including open storm water management, the use of green facades and green roofs.
Other projects
Urban Innovative actions: projects related to sustainable use of land and nature based solutions