Naturåtgärder

Naturåtgärder, often translated as nature-based solutions, refers to actions to protect, sustainably manage, and restore natural or modified ecosystems, which address societal challenges effectively and adaptively, simultaneously providing human well-being and biodiversity benefits. These solutions work with nature rather than against it, utilizing the inherent capabilities of ecosystems to achieve desired outcomes.

Examples of naturåtgärder include restoring wetlands to manage flood risk and improve water quality, planting trees in urban areas to mitigate heat island effects and improve air quality, or establishing green infrastructure for stormwater management. They can also involve sustainable agricultural practices that enhance soil health and biodiversity, or the conservation of coastal ecosystems like mangroves and coral reefs for shoreline protection and carbon sequestration.

The underlying principle is that healthy ecosystems provide essential services that contribute to human resilience and societal goals. By investing in and implementing naturåtgärder, communities can achieve multiple benefits, such as climate change adaptation and mitigation, disaster risk reduction, improved public health, and enhanced livelihoods, while also supporting biodiversity conservation and ecological integrity. The approach is increasingly recognized as a cost-effective and sustainable way to tackle complex environmental and social issues.